The growth trend continues

Despite tariffs, military conflicts, and other macroeconomic challenges, the sector continued to grow in 2024. Petfood Industry reported this and also named the 10 European manufacturers with the highest sales last year.

First place goes to United Petfood from Belgium, followed by Partner in Petfood (Hungary), Agrolimen (Spain), Heristo (Germany), Deuerer (Germany), Vafo Group (Czech Republic), Monge & C. (Italy), Affinity Petcare (Spain), C & D Foods (Ireland) and Farmina Pet Foods (Netherlands). Petfood Industry presents a chart showing the development of the individual companies.

According to Petfood Industry's report, the total value of the European pet food market in 2023 was 29.3 bn euros, representing growth of 9 per cent. This turnover was driven by the sale of 9.1 mio tonnes of pet food and snacks. More than 400 pet feed manufacturers produced this feed in at least 500 factories across Europe, from Albania to the United Kingdom. These figures were published by Fediaf (the European Pet Food Industry Federation) in its report, Facts and Figures 2025.

The Fediaf data also reflects an increase in pet ownership in Europe. In 2023, 139 mio European households owned a pet, corresponding to 299 mio individual pets. This equates to 49 per cent of all European households. Cats were the most popular pet, accounting for 26 per cent of European households. There are 108 mio cats living as pets in Europe.

Dogs lived in 25 per cent of European households. With a population of 90 mio, dogs were the second most popular pet in 2023.

Ornamental birds came third with 48 mio, followed by 25 mio small mammals and 18 mio fish and other aquarium inhabitants. Reptiles, amphibians, arthropods and other terrarium animals were the least popular, with only 11 mio.