In February 2022, Petfood Industry’s staff and contributors wrote 6 blogs and columns. These articles covered pet food exports, sales trends, ingredients and more.
At the global level, pet food exports rose 2.4% from 2020 to 2021 (through November, the latest data available to AFIA). U.S. pet food exports increased by an even 2%, according to Tumbarello, continuing a small but steady increase year-over-year since 2017.
Some traditional pet food ingredients like soy, corn and wheat, and their derivatives, have long been demonized by so-called experts on the internet and even some pet food brands. Based mainly on unsubstantiated information, these ingredients often carry a perception in the minds of some pet owners as being unhealthy, non-nutritious, “cheap filler.”
A majority of consumers globally, 55%, say they’re more likely to buy a packaged food item if it has a sustainability claim, according to a newly released FATtitudes survey from Cargill. The percentage is up from 51% in 2019, the last time the survey was undertaken.
U.S. dog owners spent an average of US$287 on dog food in 2020, while cat owners spent US$254 on cat food. Both amounts represented an approximate 11% increase from two years before.
Many hours, efforts, dollars and brainpower go into pet food companies’ and regulatory bodies’ efforts to ensure that products on the market are safe and healthy for pets.
