New study on the US pet market

The American market research publisher Packaged Facts has launched a new study on the American pet market, named “Pet Food in the US, 11th Edition”. According to this study, sales of pet food in the US will rise 16 per cent between 2015-2018 to reach $33 bn. Packaged Facts points out that the market is driven by an increased focus on pet health and the powerful role of the human-animal bond in the lives of pet owners. The pet food category has experienced much of its growth outside of the core mass market, particularly in channels like farm/feed, Internet, and pet speciality. Sales are expected to remain relatively flat through the rest of 2014, though opportunities exist in the premium food sector as pet owners purchase these products to protect the health of their four-legged, feathered, finned, and furry family members. Premium pet foods will account for 42 per cent of pet food sales in 2014, followed by regular pet food at 30 per cent and value pet food at 12 per cent, with treats comprising the remaining share of sales.