16/06/2026

The Real Size of the Pet Food Market in Latin America

By Iván Franco

Despite the sector's evident growth, a significant gap still exists between the figures commonly cited in international reports and the market's actual size in Latin America.

Various studies from non-specialized global consulting firms tend to estimate the regional pet food market at around USD 10 to 11 billion. These are frequent figures in aggregated reports based on international databases and broad research methodologies.

However, a closer examination of industry-level operational data suggests that these estimates significantly underestimate the market's true scale. The main reason lies in methodological limitations.

These reports rely on data from modern retail, formal trade channels, or limited secondary sources, leaving out a substantial portion of actual consumption across Latin America.

In the region, the pet food market extends far beyond supermarkets and large retail chains. Traditional channels, regional distributors, independent veterinary clinics, specialty stores, agricultural retailers, wholesalers, and informal distribution networks account for a substantial portion of sales. Numerous local manufacturers and co-packers produce private-label brands for retailers and distributors—many of which are not present on international databases.

When these components are excluded, the result is an inevitable underestimation of the market's actual size; Mexico provides a clear example. Some non-specialized sources estimate the Mexican pet food market at approximately USD 3.5 billion. However, this figure is difficult to reconcile with the operational reality of the sector. For instance, a single retail chain in the country accounts for nearly one-third of that value on its own—suggesting that the total market size is considerably larger when all channels and industry participants are taken into account. Discrepancies become even more evident when analyzing the industrial structure across the region.

Brazil, for example, has one of the largest pet food productions in the world. The country hosts dozens of industrial plants operated by both domestic and international manufacturers, supplying not only the local market but also exports across Latin America. Companies such as PremieR, Adimax, BRF Pet, and Special Dog have developed highly sophisticated production infrastructures, with capacities that exceed the needs of several regional markets.

When estimated production and consumption volumes across the region's key markets—including Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Central America, and others—are aggregated, the true scale of the Latin American market becomes much more evident.

According to an analysis conducted by Triplethree International, based on primary market research, species-level consumption modeling, industrial capacity assessment, and competitive structure by brand, the Latin American pet food market reached approximately 9.25 million tons in 2025.

Assuming an average regional price of around USD 3/kg at the point of sale, the total market value is estimated at approximately USD 30 billion. This positions Latin America as one of the most relevant pet food markets globally, far exceeding many of the estimates published in secondary reports
A Market with Strong Potential
Beyond its absolute size, what makes the Latin American market particularly compelling is its heterogeneous structure and growth potential.

Unlike mature markets—such as the United States or Western Europe—where the pet food sector is highly consolidated and dominated by a small number of multinational corporations, Latin America presents a unique combination of global players and highly competitive regional manufacturers.

Mars, Nestlé Purina, and ADM are examples of multinational companies that coexist with local companies and have established strong leadership positions in specific markets. In countries such as Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Peru, regional players have developed solid brands and distribution networks that compete directly with major international groups.

This industrial ecosystem creates a highly dynamic environment, where market shares can shift rapidly as consumer preferences evolve and companies adjust their expansion strategies.

Another key driver of growth is pet humanization, a trend increasingly visible across the region. An increasing number of households are treating dogs and cats as family members, willing to invest in nutrition, health, and overall well-being. This cultural shift is driving the expansion of higher value-added segments, particularly in categories such as functional foods, specialized diets, premium nutrition, and veterinary products.

At the same time, the expansion of modern retail, the growth of e-commerce, and the professionalization of specialized channels are transforming how consumers access pet food products.

These factors position Latin America as a market that is expected to continue growing steadily over the next decade, both in volume and value.
The Importance of the Accurate Measure of the Market 
Understanding the true scale of the market is essential for manufacturers, investors, and industry operators seeking to evaluate expansion opportunities in the region.

Beyond the numbers, the future of the pet food sector in Latin America will depend on companies' ability to accurately interpret the complexity of distribution systems, local competitive dynamics, and evolving consumer preferences.

In this context, having estimates based on primary research and models tailored to the Latin American reality is critical to understanding where one of the world's most dynamic—and still underanalyzed—pet food markets is heading. By Iván Franco
Source: All Pet Food Magazine

08/06/2026

Innovafeed Successfully Scales Up Operations and Enters a New Phase of Development Backed by a €51 Million Funding Round  

A pioneer in Europe's green industrial transition, Innovafeed has successfully completed the necessary steps to take an innovation from the laboratory bench to an industrial and commercial reality.

Since its inception, Innovafeed has been driven by a clear ambition: to develop local, sustainable, and high-performance ingredients to meet the growing needs of animal nutrition. To build this new industry, the company has invested massively in its large-scale technology and in demonstrating the performance of its products across all its markets.
  Following the last funding round in 2022, the company has achieved three major milestones:
  Industrial maturity: its Nesle production unit is now fully operational. In three years, it has already produced over 15,000 tons of protein and oil; production volumes have increased tenfold, while production costs have been divided by seven. The scale achieved, critical for product competitiveness, is unprecedented in this sector and is currently three times larger than the world's second-largest player.
  Strong commercial traction: revenues have doubled each year, driven by structured partnerships with clients who value the nutritional performance and functional benefits of the Hilucia™ product range.
  Demonstrated environmental impact: thanks to the circularity of its world-unique industrial symbiosis model, the products deliver a -70% to -90% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional products.
  'Innovafeed's products represent one of the key solutions for more sustainable and high-performing aquaculture. After many years of studying the benefits of this raw material in the nutrition of sea bass, sea bream, and trout, we have made the decision to use these new ingredients on a very broad scale. This scale-up is made possible today by Innovafeed's technological breakthrough, which is currently the most advanced in Europe.'
Fabio Brambilla Ph.D., Nutritionnist at NaturAlleva
  'The pet food market continues to evolve towards ingredients that deliver both sustainability and functional benefits. Innovafeed's latest funding round provides a strong platform to accelerate innovation and create new opportunities across the value chain.'
Detmar Barneveld, Commercial Manager at Vobra Special Petfoods
  'Innovafeed's ingredients form the core of our hypoallergenic dog food recipes. The performance and stability of Innovafeed's products are essential to sustain our strong growth.'
Basile Laigre, CEO and cofounder of Réglo   A reconfiguration underway driven by industrial maturity and preparing for the next phase
Following an intense phase of R&D and industrial development that successfully cleared critical operational maturity milestones, the company is embarking on a new stage of its growth. In this context, it is initiating a reorganization of its activities, specifically the reduction of zootechnical R&D activities and their integration from its historical Gouzeaucourt site into the Nesle facility. A project involving the reduction of 60 positions is planned, two-thirds of which affect the Gouzeaucourt site.
  This evolution of the organization will be carried out with dedicated support for the employees concerned, within the framework of close social dialogue with the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) of the company and the competent authorities.   Innovafeed focuses its new phase on commercial development and product innovation
In its new phase of development, the company will redirect its investments toward commercial deployment and operational excellence. The new financing operation will specifically enable Innovafeed to:
  Accelerate the commercial development of the Hilucia™ ranges, particularly within the functional segments of aquaculture and pet food;
  Invest in industrial equipment and processes in order to develop new offerings and applications;
  Optimize the industrial asset base to increase the performance and capacities of the production lines.
  Confident in the solidity of Innovafeed's industrial model, its growth trajectory, and the potential of its ingredients to meet the long-term challenges of the agri-food sectors, the operation received very broad support from its historical shareholders, notably Creadev, QIA, Temasek, FFC, ABC Impact, and ADM, as well as its banking partners.
  'Over the past five years, Innovafeed has won its industrial bet and developed a world-unique asset: a fully operational large-scale production facility that enables highly optimized production of ingredients with functional properties that are valued by pet food and aquaculture players.'
Bénédicte Monpert, Food Managing Director at Creadev
  'Since day one, we have carried a dual ambition: to demonstrate that we can produce high-performing, competitive, and sustainable ingredients for nutrition without relying on the intensive exploitation of marine resources; and that it is possible to build an innovative industrial project in France. The successful scale-up of our industrial model marks a major milestone for Innovafeed today and opens up a new phase of commercial deployment. Innovafeed is now focusing its efforts on accelerating the development of value chains for its ingredients, capturing the full value of their multiple functional properties improving animal health and growth, which have been validated and proven for ten years now.
  We must also adapt our organization to this new phase by reducing industrial and zootechnical R&D activities, while continuing to invest alongside our customers to demonstrate functionalities and performance of our products. The talents who made up our R&D and industrial teams enabled us to reach unprecedented milestones in the sector. While we must take demanding measures to adjust our organization to this new phase, we are deeply committed to recognizing the dedication of our teams over the past years and to implementing this transformation plan responsibly, in full respect of social dialogue and in close connection with local authorities.'
Clément Ray, CEO and cofounder of Innovafeed
  As global food systems face mounting pressure to reduce dependence on marine resources, Innovafeed's proven model offers a commercially viable and scalable answer. The next chapter has begun. Source: Innovafeed

06/05/2026

 Global Trade Fairs: Connecting and Innovating in Pet Food in 2026  

2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for AFB, as we'll be participating in six international trade shows, connecting with pet food industry professionals and demonstrating our commitment to innovation. From Kansas City to Nuremberg, and across Latin America and Thailand, our teams will be offering unique opportunities to learn, network, and drive the industry forward.   Pet Food Forum: Focus on Innovation
Our 2026 trade show session kicks off at the Pet Food Forum in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, from April 27-29. As regular attendees, we know how valuable this event is for sparking new interest in pet food flavor enhancers and strengthening relationships within the industry. Find us in Hall #1301 , ready to share ideas and connect with other professionals. Ana Rita Monforte, PhD , Flavor and Data Science Manager, will be taking the stage to present ' Leveraging AI to Predict Pet Food Palatability .' A session you won't want to miss! Don't miss her talk. Tuesday at 3:10 in Hall 2504. And stop by our booth to continue the conversation with our R&D team.   Interzoo: Global trends and sensory perspectives
Next, we're heading to Interzoo in Nuremberg, Germany, from May 12-15. Visit us in Hall 6-321 for stand activities and exclusive presentations , including our daily "Smell & Learn" sessions and talks on global pet food market trends . Don't miss the "Carefully Crafted Sensory Insights and Customer Loyalty" presentation on the Innovative Ideas Stage in Hall 3. These sessions are designed to encourage discussion, promote learning, and highlight the latest developments in the world of flavorings. Our international team looks forward to meeting you and sharing new perspectives!   AFB presentation at four more key events
While Petfood Forum and Interzoo are the most important trade shows on our calendar, AFB's presence extends to four other international trade shows this year. At each one, we showcase our research, product innovations, and market leadership through customized presentations and interactive experiences at our booths.
  From May 12th to 14th, Fenagra will be held in Distrito Anhembi, São Paulo, Brazil. Will you be there? Don't forget to stop by our booth C11 ! Meet the AFB Brazil team! Discover the flavorings available in the region, including Animal-Free and Non-GMO options, for customized solutions that customers need, as well as the new, improved-performing liquid and dry products we've just developed. Contact your sales representative or our AFB Brazil office at brasil@afbinternational.com to schedule a meeting.
  Attending industry events like Fenagra is essential to stay abreast of the latest trends in pet nutrition and connect with partners driving innovation in palatability. At AFB International, we help pet food brands improve taste and aroma to increase acceptance, ensuring pets not only eat, but love their food. We invite you to visit us at Fenagra to discover how our flavor enhancement solutions can boost your products and differentiate your brand in a competitive market. We look forward to seeing you there! Guilherme Marra, Sales Manager, AFB Latin America.
  The Pet Forum will take place from July 15th to 17th in Guadalajara, Mexico . The date has been changed from June to July, so be sure to update your plans to attend! We'll be there at booth C2 . We're ready to answer all your questions about the taste of pet food and show you how AFB makes delicious-tasting pet food in Mexico! Contact Jeanette Cano, Sales Manager , to connect before the show.
  The 10th Latin American Pet Food Industry Congress (CIPAL) will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from September 23-24. In 2024, we enjoyed this pet food manufacturing trade show and considered it an excellent event for networking and introducing Argentina to the local AFB team. Visit us at support P1.
  Our Thailand Air Base team is hard at work planning for Southeast Asia PetFair in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 28-30. We look forward to meeting, connecting, and networking with our customers and industry professionals who share our passion for excellence in pet food. Don't wait until October to learn more about flavor enhancers in pet food; contact us. Ratchada Saebey, Commercial Manager . Today at the Thailand Air Base!   Why are these programs important?
Attending these global events is more than just showing up: it's about building relationships, discovering new ideas, and leading the conversation on pet food palatability. Trade shows are where innovation meets collaboration, and AFB is proud to be at the forefront. Our experts are ready to answer your questions, analyze trends, and help you uncover new opportunities for your business through our customized solutions. Source: AFB International

05/05/2026

Japan Joins the Pet Boom  

The Japanese economy has experienced moderate growth over the past decade. In the last ten years, the country's GDP has barely increased by 4.3%, with several years of stagnation and even some periods of decline. However, some economic sectors have managed to expand strongly. Among them, the pet food and product market stands out. Japan has joined the global pet boom, and the sector has grown by nearly 30% in the last decade.   Pets are driving this sector to grow eight times faster than the national average. This dynamism is explained by the increase in households choosing to bring a pet into their homes, fueled by the aging population and the search for companionship in large cities. Food and veterinary service companies have successfully adapted their offerings to this growing demand.   Dogs continue to lead the ranking, but not for long
According to data from the latest Rakuten Insight report, dogs remained the most popular pet in Japan in 2025. Present in 11% of households, dogs are the most common pet in Japanese homes, but cats have seen a significant increase in popularity. Felines are present in 10% of the country's homes, far ahead of fish (4.5%), turtles (1.6%), and birds (1.5%). This near parity between dogs and cats reflects an unstoppable trend in recent years.   Nearly nine million felines in Japan
The rise in popularity of cats in the Asian country has led to the feline population in Japan growing to nine million in recent years. While this figure decreased slightly in 2025, it shows an upward trend in cat adoption. Japan contrasts sharply with neighboring countries like China and Vietnam, where cats are still very uncommon as pets due to lingering cultural traditions and prejudices.   The Japanese spend more money on small dogs
In the dog world, the Japanese tend to favor small breeds over large ones. In fact, spending on small dogs is considerably higher than on other pets in the country, as they require specific accessories, clothing, carriers, and more frequent care.     Source: IM VETERINARIA

04/05/2026

Pet Fair Asia 2026 Visitor Registration is Now Open

Returning to Shanghai from 19 to 23 August 2026, the show will set new benchmarks with a record-breaking 320,000 sqm of exhibition space. To date, 92% of this space has already been sold, and more than 2,600 exhibitors are expected to participate, reinforcing the event's position as Asia's leading platform for the pet industry.
  International buyers and industry professionals can now secure free entry by registering online at https://reg.petfairasia.com/en/user/register before 31 July 2026. After this deadline, a ticket fee of RMB 200 / USD 30 per person will apply.
  Last year, Pet Fair Asia welcomed over 130,000 trade visitors from more than 90 countries. During the final two consumer days, the attendance surged to a record 390,000 visitors. With its continuously expanding global reach, Pet Fair Asia has become an unmissable event for the international pet industry, offering unparalleled business and networking opportunities in China and broader Asia Pacific's stable and growing pet markets.   VIP B2B DAY: A STRATEGIC STEP TOWARDS A STRONGER BUSINESS FOCUS
As previously announced, this year Pet Fair Asia is introducing the VIP B2B DAY as a strategic initiative to strengthen the show's business focus - a move that is especially important for a large-scale exhibition with massive foot traffic. The first day will be invitation-only, creating a targeted, high-value networking environment with minimal distractions. This day will bring together selected local importers, wholesalers, distributors, VIP buyers, leading media partners, influencers and industry opinion leaders, fostering high-quality interactions and meaningful business exchange. International visitors, meanwhile will enjoy full access across all three trade days, with the flexibility to explore the exhibition at their own pace.   A ROBUST INTERNATIONAL LINEUP OF EXHIBITORS
Leading Chinese and global brands continue to place trust in the event and will return again this year. Confirmed exhibitors that cover everything related to the world of pets include Acana, ADM, Arm and Hammer, Boehringer Ingelheim, DoggyMan, Elanco, EzyDog, Farmina, Gambol, Gimborn, Hagen, Hunter, Instinct, Kong, Iv San Bernard, K9 Natural & Feline Natural, Mars, Pidan, PETKIT, Purina, Royal Canin, Stella & Chewy's, and Ziwi, among many others. 
  Notably, Global Premier Hall (N5), dedicated to international exhibitors only, will feature premium international brands, bringing together the most innovative offerings from around the world in a single, high-visibility space designed to maximize exposure and attract domestic buyers. 

Further enhancing its global character, a record number of international pavilions, including those from New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Poland, Australia, Canada, Thailand, and the Taiwan region, will be located within this hall, enriching the show with a diverse array of global brands and new product launches.  
  'Canada's pet food and pet products industry is globally recognized for its premium quality, rigorous safety standards, and science-driven innovation, supported by a strong regulatory framework and high-quality agricultural inputs.' -  said Tracy Diehl, Consul General at Canada's Consulate in Shanghai, which, together with Pets Canada, will organize this year the Canadian pavilion at Pet Fair Asia for the first time. 'The Canada Pavilion at Pet Fair Asia brings together a selected group of leading Canadian companies showcasing nutritious pet food, functional ingredients, and innovative solutions designed to support animal health and well-being. As a leading industry platform in Asia, Pet Fair Asia offers an effective setting to showcase Canada's commitment to reliability, sustainability and product excellence with key buyers and partners. We are looking forward to providing Chinese and international visitors an opportunity to connect directly with trusted Canadian suppliers and discover products that meet the evolving demands of today's China market.' – concluded Diehl.    CO-LOCATED EVENTS TO NOT MISS OUT
Two long-established co-located events will once again run alongside Pet Fair Asia. PET FAIR SUPPLY - dedicated to the pet industry supply chain - will take place during the three B2B days (19–21 August 2026). The event continues its strong expansion, and will cover a record 10 halls (W6–W11, N6–N9), spanning over 70,000sqm and hosting more than 900 exhibitors.  PET FAIR ASIA VETERINARY, on the other hand, will occupy two halls (N3 & N4) across 35,000 sqm, providing a complete overview of the latest innovations and developments in pet medicine and animal health.
  Given the scale of the event, the organizers have also curated several other dedicated halls to help visitors navigate the show more easily and focus on key areas of interest. 
  Cat's Wonderland (Hall W2)
As cats outpace dogs in China, in both spendings and population (reaching over 70 million), this dedicated destination brings together premium, design-led, and smart cat products from both local and global brands as well as emerging designer labels. Carefully curated for discerning cat owners who prioritize quality, aesthetics, and comfort, the hall will spotlight a wide range of innovative cat-centric solutions. 
  Human–Pet Ideal Home (Hall E1)
This hall is designed for the new generation of pet owners seeking high-quality human–pet co-living solutions. It focuses on holistic lifestyle integration, covering home furnishings, smart home appliances, outdoor living, travel solutions, and more. Exhibitors in this hall include leading lifestyle and technology brands such as BYD, Haier, Hisense, Ronshen, Toshiba, among others.
  For more information about the show visit: www.petfairasia.com  Source: Pet Fais Asia Media Contact
Ms. Aida Cuko 
Tel: +86 21 6195 6042 
Email: aida.cuko@globusevents.com