The annual rate of growth for the Italian cat and dog food market increased 5.9%, according to a new report.

The Italian cat and dog food market is worth €1.49 billion (US$1.8 billion), equivalent to 495,800 metric tons of products sold, according to a report by the National Association for Pet Feeding and Care (ASSALCO). Speciality retailers accounted for €581.2 million (US$716 million) of this figure, while the supermarkets and hypermarkets were responsible for €909.3 million (US$1.121 billion) in sales.