China Pet Food Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

China Pet Food Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The China pet food market was valued at USD 1,225 million in 2021, and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period (2022-2027).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching implications within the pet food supply chain. However, the pet food industry suppliers increased their use of electronic communications technologies as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly halted traditional forms of business.​ Although major international pet shows got canceled early in 2020 due to the travel bans and social distancing as a result of the pandemic, the organizers of the China International Pet Show introduced an online trade show platform where buyers can search for pet products and communicate.

Over the long term, pet humanization, the increasing trend of e-commerce, and the rise in demand for natural pet food are some of the major factors driving the market for pet food in the country. The demographic changes have pushed Chinese pet owners to treat their pets as surrogate children.

Dogs have always been the preferred pets globally and account for a large chunk of the Chinese pet food revenue. China ranks third in terms of dog ownership, with more than 27 million dogs as pets in 2018. Cats and birds were the next category of pets, which accounted for significant revenue shares.

Among the product types, the wet pet food segment is estimated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. As dogs and cats are treated as family members, Chinese pet owners are increasingly willing to spend lavishly on them, thus, the demand for wet pet food is likely to increase in China in the coming years.​

Furthermore, pet owners prefer online shopping due to the convenience it provides in their busy lifestyles. Increasing pet humanization and the rise in demand for natural pet food are some of the drivers boosting the sales of pet food in the country.

China Pet Food Market TrendsGrowing Trend of Pet Humanization

The growth in the middle-class section, rapidly growing urbanization, growing numbers of elderly, and people getting married and having children later than before are factors transforming China into a pet-owning and loving society. Pet humanization is on the rise in China, owing to the changes in people’s lifestyles. The increasing pet ownership among younger generations, in particular, is influenced by social media and the adoption of the western lifestyle.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS China), most people who have pet dogs or cats in China are the elderly. Approximately 61% of the 65+ age group live with a pet. The aging population look toward small, easy-to-care-for pets instead of proper babysitting commitments. These factors are driving the pet food market in the country.

The urbanization trend in the country has a greater influence on sales of prepared pet foods, as these products are more convenient and more suitable for the busy lifestyles of urban dwellers. The Chinese market observed a rising awareness of feeding pets with prepared packaged pet food and increasing disposable income. The increasing pet population and the rising costs of pet nutrition products are responsible for the major growth of the market in the region.​​

The Dog Food Segment Occupies the Largest Share in the Market

Dogs are the most popular pets grown in China, with 9% of the country's urban population owning a dog as their pet, followed by cat and fish. According to the State Council of China, around 73.55 million households own a pet, of which 46.1% own dogs and 30.7% have cats. Increasing pet adoption is also a major reason for the increasing pet dog population. In the total pet population, dogs accounted for 34.0% and cats accounted for 20.0% in 2019. The increasing adoption of dogs by millennials as an asset has boosted pet food sales over the recent period. The popular dog breeds in China include Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Pug, Shar Pei, Chow Chow, and Tibetan Terrier.

Dog food is the largest segment, occupying a share of 53.3% of the market in 2021 on account of the increased population of dogs among pet owners. Being the most preferred pet in the country, the enhanced humanization of pets has resulted in the growth of the dog food segment. ​

The freeze-dried segment of dog food is also emerging with the rising awareness of its nutritional benefits and popularity with dogs. With the improved consumer awareness about food for dogs’ specific nutritional and healthcare needs, the leading players are introducing new innovative products in China. Royal Canin released its first sub-health pet nutrition products during the Pet Fair Asia 2019 in Shanghai. Royal Canin’s product, the first of its kind in the Chinese market, is said to contain nutritional components that support digestive health and improve the dog’s coat, among other benefits.

China Pet Food Market Competitive Analysis

The China pet food market is consolidated with the presence of multinational companies, such as Mars Incorporated, Nestle Purina Pet Food, Bridge PetCare, Yantai China Pet Food Co. Ltd, Royal Canin China Co. Ltd., Huaxing Pet Food Co. Ltd, and Chengdu Care Pet Food Co. Ltd. The companies in the market are highly active and are adopting strategies such as investments in e-marketing and e-commerce websites, mergers and acquisitions, and new product launches to expand their presence in the country and increase their market shares.

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