The China Pet Food Market to reach $50.6 Billion by 2030; the increasing pet population, demand for specialized pet food, rising penetration of packaged pet food, increased spending on pets, pet food exports to other countries are driving the growth

The China Pet Food Market size is estimated to reach $50.6 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030, according to a recent report published by IndustryARC, titled, “China Pet Food Market– By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats, Fish, Birds, Reptiles, Rodents and Others), By Ingredient (Cereals, Fruits & Vegetables, Proteins, Fats and Additives), By Source (Conventional and Organic), By Food Type (Semi-moist Foods, Kibble, Canned Food, Veterinary Food, Nutritional Food and Others), By Packaging (Bags, Cans, Pouches, Boxes/Cartons, Bottles and Jars, Tubs and Others) and By Distribution Channel (Online and Offline) Opportunity Analysis & Industry Forecast, 2024-2030.”

The increasing pet poluation in China is the primary factor driving the pet food market in the country as several millennials are preferring to have pets instead of children. Additionally, the demand for specialized pet food and the shift towards packaged pet food are driving the market. Moreover, several Chinese companies are exporting pet food which also boosts the pet food market in China.

In terms of animal type, cats accounted for the largest share of 37% of the China Pet Food Market in 2023 driven by the high rate of cat ownership in urban and suburban regions. Cats have become popular pets due to their adaptability to smaller living spaces making them ideal for apartment dwellers and city residents. Additionally, the cat food segment is benefitting from the growing demand for premium and specialized diets such as grain-free, organic and high-protein options tailored to feline health needs. With more households owning cats, brands are capitalizing on this trend by offering a variety of cat-specific products leading to market dominance in this category. For instance, to address health issues such as hairballs and digestive problems with grooming cats, Novonesis has introduced a mild enzymatic hair treatment solution which can be incorporated into hair care products or functional pet foods to help manage hairball-related issues ensuring better intestinal health for cats. In 2023, Solid Gold and JD Pet jointly launched a new cat food product featuring fresh salmon ingredients and omega for improved fur health. Within just four months, it became one of the top 20 bestselling cat food options on JD.com.

The penetration of packaged pet food in China is on the rise driven by e-commerce, growing pet population and a greater awareness of pet nutrition. As more pet owners understand the benefits of nutritionally balanced and convenient options for their pets, packaged pet food is rapidly gaining traction. Millennial urban dwellers especially favor packaged food as it saves time and provides consistency in nutrition. Additionally, the influx of premium and specialized products tailored to specific dietary needs has made packaged pet food a preferred choice for consumers. In April 2023, Nestle Purina launched a new high-end wet canned pet food production line in Tianjin. Thus, this demand for packaged food has encouraged manufacturers to diversify offerings, creating opportunities for growth as more pet owners adopt these products for quality and convenience.

In China, pet ownership is increasingly viewed as an investment in quality of life resulting in a steady increase in spending on pet products. Due to the growing western influence, pet humanization is on the rise and as a result owners invest in high-quality food, treats and health supplements. There is also a growing inclination toward premium and specialized pet food products such as organic, grain-free, or breed-specific diets which demonstrates how consumers are prioritizing the health of pets. According to start up, Partner Pet, China's pet food market is expanding exponentially with the premium and super premium price segments driving most of the growth. Capturing the surge in demand for such products, Partner Pet's sales have risen twelvefold over 2021-2023 as the company built on its lead in the freeze-dried segment. In February 2023, L Catterton, a leading global consumer-focused investment firm, announced that it has invested in Partner Pet, China. Thus, the increased spending on pets is fueling demand for a wide range of pet food options from complete nutrition formulas to functional treats. 

Key companies profiled in the China Pet Food Market are Mars Petcare China, Nestlé Purina PetCare, General Mills China, Gambol Pet Group, Yantai China Pet Foods Co., Ltd., PETKIT, Huaxing Pet Food Co Ltd, Peidi Group, Shandong Luscious Pet Food Co., Ltd, Diana Pet Food and others.

Pet Food Packaging Market– Pet Food Packaging Market Size is forecast to reach $15742.9 Million by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.50% during forecast period 2024-2030. The key factors driving the growth of pet food packaging market include increasing affection for pets leading to higher pet adoption, high pet owners' income levels, changing lifestyles, demand for simplicity and convenience in packaging, and the growing trend of humanization of pets.

Pet Food Ingredient Market –Pet Food Ingredient Market size is forecast to reach $53.7 Bn by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 6.72% during the forecast period 2020-2025 owing to the increasing number of pets.

Pet Food Processing Market - Pet Food Processing Market size is valued at $ 3.81Bn in 2019 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period 2020-2025 attributed to the increase in awareness regarding consumption of natural and organic pet food products.