Global pet food industry by market size and growth

The global pet food market size was worth $91 billion in 2018. It is expected to reach USD 113.08 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.5 percent. In 2019, North America is the largest geographical segment of the market studied and accounted for a share of around 39.2% of the overall market. The pet food market in the United States is expected to reach $30 billion in 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36% between 2017 and 2022. When it comes to the future of pet food market development, Asia Pacific is the region expected to grow the most by 2022, with a forecast growth rate of 9.3 percent. Japan is one of the major pet food markets in the Asia Pacific and is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period. In comparison, the North American market is expected to grow by just 2.3 percent in the same time period.

‍Global pet food Industry Market size (by application)

The American Pet Product Association 2017-2018 Pet Ownership Survey found that 68% of US households own a pet - that’s 84.9 million homes - and spend an average of $300 annually on pet food and treats. Dogs and Cats are the most popular pets. The total dog and cat population in North America is estimated at 178 million, and the average price per pound for pet food and pet treats has risen 46% since 2011, according to market research company GfK.

Cat ownership globally has risen nearly 6 percent CAGR since 2013, especially in Asia-Pacific countries like China and South Korea, where CAGR came closer to 30 percent from 2013-2018.

‍Global pet food Industry Market share (by product type)

Pet food and pet snacks have become the largest center-of-the-store category in the US food and beverage market, generating more than $30 billion in annual retail sales across all channels. While dog food is by far the biggest segment of the global pet food market, and its value sales growth from 2013-2018 matched that for the overall pet care industry (6% CAGR), its volume sales increased only a little more than 1.5% CAGR during that time frame. Cat food is a somewhat different story: Volume growth globally measured at more than 2% CAGR from 2013-2018, while value sales also increased, at 5% CAGR. Though the pet foods market has experienced healthy growth since 2013 of about 5% CAGR, growth was particularly stronger for dog treats (almost 6% CAGR), dry cat food (5.5 %) and, cat treats, the highest growth segment at 9% CAGR.

Global cat treats sales are relatively low, only about the U.S.$2 billion in 2018, but their growth is even more robust in some regions such as Asia-Pacific, which saw a rise of 23 percent CAGR from 2013-2018. Wet pet food, with its typically higher prices, continues to see value sales growth outpace volume sales, with increases of 4 to 5 percent CAGR for both dog and cat food.

E-commerce the growing channel for the pet food market

E-commerce made enormous strides between 2014 and 2017, reaching a 12.5% market share in 2017, growing at a CAGR of more than 25 percent. Packaged Facts projects it to grow to 20% of the market by 2022, surpassing pet specialty chains (excluding their online sales), food stores, pharmacies, and warehouse clubs, where the growth rate for each channel has been less than 5 percent CAGR.

‍Leading brands of the pet food industry

Pet food and treat options available in the US pet food market have exploded in recent years. GfK reports the number of brands has increased by 71% since 2011 and now totals 630. The number of stock-keeping units (SKUs) is up 88% over that same period and tops 22,000. It’s not surprising then that food companies have noticed the category.

Conclusion

‍This category shouldn’t be taken for granted. Its growth in the last few years has been compared to growth in other consumer goods categories, including human packaged foods, fresh food for humans, and home care. This consistently robust performance has made the industry a target for VCs, Private Equity, and M&A activity.