Two UK-based pet food companies were awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2017 in the United Kingdom. The award honors UK-based companies for outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade, sustainable development or promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Fish4Dogs won Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for 2017

UK-based Fish4Dogs received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for 2017, reported PETS International. Fish4Dogs operates three manufacturing centers worldwide, including operations in Norway. The pet food company won the Queen’s Award for their export success and penetration of new international markets.

Fish4Dogs overseas sales have grown 267 percent over the past six years, according to the company. The exported proportion of sales grew to 60 percent of total sales in that time. Internationally, Fish4Dogs does business in 31 countries including China, Japan, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain and Croatia.

Fish4Dogs was founded in 2005 with a focus on using fish-based protein in dog food and treats. The company reports using sustainable, responsibly sourced fish.

"Our ambitious growth plans include establishing Fish4Dogs in Australasia and North American during 2017,” Fish4Dogs CEO Graham Smith said in a press release.

Symply won Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2017

Symply Pet Food stated that they won the award for their international growth, commercial success and contributions to the UK economy, reported PETS International.

Founded in 2009, Symply Pet Food sells pet food products to over 35 countries, particularly in European and Asian markets.

UK pet food trends

Last year, trends in the UK pet food industry were examined by the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) and GfK.

One key finding was that dog food makes up three-quarters of the £900 billion (US$1,300) in retail pet food sales made in the UK. Of this large segment, dry food ate up some of wet foods’ market share. Also, dog foods marketed as natural rose as a percentage of sales, although grain-free products held steady. This increase in natural, but not grain-free, products stands in contrast to an earlier GfK study on trend in the US. In the US, grain-free products lead the charge towards natural pet foods.