Growth continues

According to data of the National Association of Pet Food Manufacturers of Spain (ANFAAC), the Spanish pet food industry reached 1.955 bn euros last year, 14.5 per cent more than in 2022 (1.708 bn). In accordance with intermediate results for 2024, the growth is continuing this year. Spanish households spend 3.000 euros annually on caring for their pets.

According to ANFAAC, which brings together 90 per cent of the Spanish pet food sector, the market is not growing strongly in volume terms, estimated at around 1 to 2 per cent per year. In 2023, the industry reached 561 305 tonnes in volume terms.

In terms of market structure, dogs will be the largest category in the Spanish pet food market in 2023, with a market value of 1.23 bn dollars, according to data from the international research agency Mordor Intelligence and some independent local analysts. This dominance is due to their large population in the country, accounting for around 36 per cent (10.1 mio) of the total pet population.

Meanwhile, cats hold the second largest market share of the Spanish pet food market, valued at 606 mio dollars in 2023. The main reason for the smaller market size of cats compared to dogs is their smaller population: The domestic cat population in Spain accounted for 22.5 per cent (6.3 mio) of the total pet population.

Local analysts see good prospects for the Spanish pet food sector in 2025. The market is currently the fifth largest in the EU after Germany, the UK, France and Italy. “The industry is healthy and balanced, despite the generally difficult business environment in Spain, caused by the increase in the price of all raw materials, energy, transport and high inflation rates,” commented Santiago de Andrés, Secretary General of ANFAAC.

This year, the industry is showing good growth rates, also driven by the e-commerce segment. According to analysts, the main reason for the industry’s continued growth of the industry is the increasing awareness among Spaniards of the benefits of owning pets, which are now considered full members of the family by the local population.

ANFAAC analysts expect that high levels of technological innovation will continue to be one of the main drivers of growth in the Spanish pet food sector in 2025. This will be mainly due to the continued expansion of product ranges by local manufacturers, who will place greater emphasis on the production of original, high-quality products. Many of these products will be developed using the latest scientific advances in animal nutrition and innovative ingredients.

Meanwhile, as the trend towards the humanisation of pets continues, certain market segments are currently experiencing particularly high growth rates. One example is the pet snacks segment. The current market trends for high-quality, healthy pet food are confirmed by representatives of some of the leading local players.

“The ever-increasing concern of families for the health of their pets has led to a strong demand for specific foods, such as sugar-free, low-grain and, above all, non-genetically modified (GMO)”, commented Carlos Pérez Diz, CEO of Nugape Pet Food, one of the Spain’s largest pet food manufacturers, in an interview with the local business newspaper “Interempresas”. They would also want to avoid colourings and other chemical additives. “As a result, many pet food brands are strengthening their premium lines, as more and more local pet owners are willing to pay more for high-quality food for their pets.”

From its factory in Vilanova de Arousa (Pontevedra), Pérez Diz exports its pet food to more than 40 countries, and its flagship brands include Cebican and Dousti, as well as the recently launched premium Danna pet food range. In general, the European Union remains the main export destination for leading Spanish pet food manufacturers.  

In terms of market structure, the Spanish pet food market is fragmented, with the top five companies accounting for 38.82 per cent of the market. The main players in this market are ADM, Affinity Petcare SA, Colgate-Palmolive Company (Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.), Mars Incorporated and Nestlé (Purina).