Market Overview
The Europe pet food market size was USD 35.6 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 63.2 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period of 2025-2033. The market growth is fueled by increased pet ownership, expansion of e-commerce platforms, and innovations in product development. The rising trend of pet humanization is also encouraging higher expenditure on nutritional and specialized pet food options.
Study Assumption Years
- Base Year: 2024
- Historical Year/Period: 2019-2024
- Forecast Year/Period: 2025-2033
Europe Pet Food Market Key Takeaways
- Current Market Size: USD 35.6 Billion in 2024
- CAGR: 6.1% during 2025-2033
- Forecast Period: 2025-2033
- Rising pet ownership, with 91 million EU households owning a pet in 2022, is boosting demand.
- Expansion of e-commerce channels enhances convenience and accessibility for pet parents.
- Innovations include specialty diets such as grain-free, natural, organic, and hypoallergenic pet foods.
- Humanization trends encourage spending on premium and specialized pet food products.
- High feed and raw material costs pose challenges, while innovation creates new opportunities.
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Market Growth Factors
A key driver for market growth in Europe is on account of the growing pet ownership in the region. The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) reported 91 million EU households owned a pet in 2022. A population of dogs, cats, birds, and other small animals around the globe that is increasing should increase the demand for pet food. The pet humanization trend expects pet parents to spend more on nutritionally superior, premium, and value-added specialized pet food products with better ingredients for pets because pets are treated as family members.
The online marketplace is seen as one of the largest contributors toward pet food market growth due to its diverse brand offerings, formulations and specialty diets that include natural, organic, grain-free and hypoallergenic options, as well as the convenience of shopping online and receiving delivered pet food directly to the consumer’s location. IMARC Group reported Europe’s e-commerce market for pet food will likely expand at an 8.4% CAGR from 2024 to 2032.
Today, pet parents seek new products as their pets’ needs change. These include high quality, nutritionally complete foods during specific conditions such as weight control, joint health and digestive health. These needs caused the development of functional foods and dietary supplements for pet food. Dogs Plates launched a wet dog food with health benefits using insect protein in 2022 for example. These innovations improve the market outlook with regard to preventive care and functional nutrition for pets.
Market Segmentation
- Pet Type:
- Dog Food: Dogs are the most common pets in Europe and require more substantial food quantities, contributing to higher sales. The humanization of dogs boosts demand for premium dog food.
- Cat Food: Cats have distinct nutritional needs, requiring high protein and fat diets. Specialized cat food products for health issues like weight and urinary tract health are in demand.
- Others: Includes food for birds, small mammals, and other pets.
- Product Type:
- Dry Pet Food: Preferred for convenience and long shelf life. It is cost-effective and formulated to meet nutritional needs like weight management and dental health.
- Wet and Canned Pet Food: Contains more moisture, supports pet hydration, and resembles home-cooked meals, aligning with humanization trends.
- Snacks and Treats: Popular for on-the-go convenience, especially in urban households and smaller living spaces where treats are used for reinforcement training.
- Pricing Type:
- Mass Products: Produced by established brands catering to price-conscious consumers. Widely available in supermarkets, hypermarkets, and pet supply stores.
- Premium Products: Increasingly preferred by Europeans investing in natural, organic, and ethically sourced pet food. Growth is supported by online retail channels.
- Ingredient Type:
- Animal Derived: Preferred due to higher quality and digestibility, aligning with dogs’ and cats’ carnivorous nature. Premiumization increases demand for protein-rich formulas.
- Plant Derived: Rising interest due to concerns about animal welfare, sustainability, and consumer vegetarian/vegan lifestyles. High-quality plant-based formulations are being developed.
- Distribution Channel:
- Supermarkets and Hypermarkets: Widely accessible, offering a broad range of products and frequent promotions.
- Specialty Stores: Provide a diverse array of specialized and high-quality pet food with personalized service.
- Online Stores: Growing rapidly due to convenience, variety, and detailed product information.
- Others: Additional retail channels.
- Country:
- Germany: Strong economy, high living standards, and a mature pet care industry drive demand, with preference for premium products.
- France: Preference for premium, gourmet, and natural pet food influenced by culinary culture and extensive distribution.
- United Kingdom: Pet humanization drives demand for organic, natural, and functional pet foods. Well-established pet food industry.
- Italy
- Spain
- Others: Other European countries.
Regional Insights
Germany is a dominant market in Europe owing to its strong economy and high standards of living, enabling pet parents to invest in quality pet food. France and the United Kingdom also have significant markets, driven by cultural preferences for premium and specialized pet food options. These countries contribute substantially to the overall Europe pet food market growth.
Recent Developments & News
- April 30, 2024: General Mills acquired the European pet food brand Edgard & Cooper, known for organic and eco-friendly pet food, with projected retail sales of about 100 million euros in 2023 across 13 markets.
- April 10, 2024: Nestle announced an investment of 472 million euros to build a new pet food factory in Mantua, Italy, planned to open by 2027.
Key Players
- The Nutrient Company
- Totally Natural Pet Products
- General Mills
- Edgard & Cooper
- Nestle
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About Us
IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that helps the world’s most ambitious changemakers to create a lasting impact. The company provides a comprehensive suite of market entry and expansion services. IMARC offerings include thorough market assessment, feasibility studies, company incorporation assistance, factory setup support, regulatory approvals and licensing navigation, branding, marketing and sales strategies, competitive landscape and benchmarking analyses, pricing and cost research, and procurement research.
