Romania’s first Pet Food event a success

The Pet Food Trends conference took place in Bucharest, Romania, on 5 February 2026. According to a press statement, it is the country’s first event dedicated exclusively to the pet food industry.

About 50 industry professionals from across the value chain gathered at Hotel Mercure Unirii for presentations and discussions, among them NielsenIQ (market data & analytics), producers such as Kormotech and Suziria, as well as retail and quick commerce representatives including Sezamo, part of Rohlik Group.

In addition to the commercial and retail perspective, the event also addressed the veterinary angle, with a dedicated speaker covering the growing importance of functional nutrition and consumer education.

Some of the insights gained from the event were that pet ownership is at its highest level in the past decade, with cats accounting for an increasing proportion of pet households. E-commerce continues to grow, with certain categories (such as dry cat food) experiencing significant growth online. However, online sales still represent a minority of total sales, leaving room for expansion. Strategy alone is not enough – consistent execution and in-store implementation remain decisive factors.

There are opportunities for small and challenger brands, particularly in niche segments and emerging channels. Meaningful differentiation is more important than ever as ingredient lists and premium positioning become increasingly similar, and modern delivery platforms are gaining momentum, with continued growth reported in pet product categories.

The event’s key conclusion was that while the category continues to grow, competition is intensifying. Paying close attention to data, trends and real consumer behavior – combined with disciplined execution – is essential for sustainable growth.