European Pet Food Market Reaches €29.3 Billion

Despite tariff barriers, geopolitical instability, and other macroeconomic challenges, the European pet food market demonstrated steady growth. According to the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), its value reached €29.3 billion in 2023, up 9% year-on-year. Total sales amounted to 9.1 million tons of pet food and treats produced by over 400 manufacturers at more than 500 facilities across Europe—from Albania to the United Kingdom.

According to Petfood Industry, the top ten companies by revenue in 2024 included:

United Petfood (Belgium)
Partner in Petfood (Hungary)
Agrolimen (Spain)
Heristo (Germany)
Deuerer (Germany)
Vafo Group (Czech Republic)
Monge & C. (Italy)
Affinity Petcare (Spain)
C & D Foods (Ireland)
Farmina Pet Foods (Netherlands)

More than 60% of global pet food mergers and acquisitions in 2024 involved European companies.

Market growth is supported by the rising number of pet owners. In 2023, Europe was home to 299 million pets across 139 million households—49% of all families. Cats remain the most popular pets, kept by 26% of European households (108 million cats), followed by dogs at 25% (90 million). Other categories included decorative birds (48 million), small mammals (25 million), aquarium fish (18 million), and reptiles, amphibians, and terrarium pets (11 million).

Poland (22.9%) and Spain (19.7%) lead Europe in dog-to-human ratio, while France shows the lowest rate (11.1%) despite 7.6 million dogs. France leads in cat ownership (21.8% of households), followed by Poland (20.5%). Germany ranks first by total cats number (15.7 million).

According to experts, with continued growth in pet ownership and a favorable business environment, European pet food manufacturers are expected to maintain positive momentum into 2025 despite ongoing external risks.

Source: petworldwide.net