While many industries struggle with economic and market challenges, a new report from CRB finds that pet food manufacturers are racing to add capacity to meet consumer demand for high-quality products, driven by “the humanization of pet food.”
Even as supply chain risks, labor shortages and rising costs present stout challenges, CRB’s newest Horizons report finds established companies and start-ups alike are chasing consumers who increasingly demand the food they feed their pets matches the quality and manufacturing standards of food they’d feed themselves.
The report, released as a free download by CRB–a leading provider of sustainable engineering, architecture, construction and consulting solutions to the food and beverage and life sciences industries–is built on the survey responses of 300 pet food manufacturing leaders. Horizons features analysis by CRB’s authoritative corps of subject matter experts who share insights on issues ranging from the sourcing of alternative proteins and adapting processes for sustainability, efficiency and quality, to embracing integrated project delivery solutions that raise capacity without sacrificing quality or schedule.
“At stake is nothing less than a projected $275 billion, the expected annual value placed on the pet food industry by 2030,” Tim Barba, CRB’s chief operating officer, Global Technical Operations, writes in the report’s opening passages. “To get their share, manufacturers are feverishly expanding and modernizing their production capacity, exploring new segments, and aligning their products with the qualities prized by ingredient-conscious consumers.”
Among the essential insights contained in the Horizons report:
“It’s fascinating to see how the massive adoption of pets in the United States during the pandemic transformed the pet food industry. Despite inflation and other challenges, consumers are seeking high-quality foods for their pets who are treated like family members,” said Jason Robertson, vice president of Food and Beverage at CRB.
Download the report here, see additional CRB thought leadership at crbgroup.com/insights and connect with CRB on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Feature
By Lindsay Beaton
Those in the supplements space are answering consumer calls for functionality, traceability, and simple education on what’s right for their pets.
Feature
By Lindsay Beaton
Healthy M&A activity as well as expanded production capacity investments helped pet food companies continue to grow in 2021.