The United Kingdom exported GBP341.3 million (US$428 million) worth of pet food in 2018.
The United Kingdom exported GBP341.3 million (US$428 million) worth of pet food in 2018, according to the UK Department for International Trade. The value of British pet food exports grew 5.6% over 2017 figures. The British agency presented Pet’s Kitchen as an example of a UK company successfully exporting to pet food to Asian countries’ growing markets.
Exports to Asia help UK pet food company
Pet’s Kitchen’s first six months of pet food exports generated more than GBP100,000 (US$ ) of revenue. The UK-based pet food company forecasts exports to reach GBP500,000 this year. Within three years, Pet’s Kitchen expects to bring in more than GBP1 million (US$ ) from international sales of its Vet’s Kitchen brand.
“The trends of humanisation, premiumisation, and health and wellness are prevalent now the world over,” Ben Hutton, Sales Director at Pet’s Kitchen said in a press release. “Getting insights about your brand from potential new partners in Asia and the Middle East especially can lead to new challenges but also new opportunities. You see your brand from a brand-new perspective, with each country having a unique list of requirements and preferences and it’s important to listen.
“What works in one market may not work in in another, for example fish recipes in the UK don’t sell so well but in Asia where fish is prevalent in the local cuisine, fish recipes are very popular.”
Pet’s Kitchen now sells in 10 Asian countries, including parts of the Middle East. The brand recently expanded in South Korea and Singapore with new distribution deals. The company plans to test the waters of the Chinese pet food market with entry into Hong Kong. Pet’s Kitchen also sells in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and in a grocery store chain that sells around the Gulf region. The brands plans to explore expansion into Saudi Arabia, China and Thailand.
“In markets like the Middle East and Asia, British-made products are synonymous with quality which presents a golden opportunity for UK businesses to explore these international opportunities.” Paul Shand, UK Department for International Trade’s head of trade in the South West, said in a press release.
Tim Wall covers the dog, cat and other pet food industries as senior reporter for WATT Global Media. He hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a bachelor's degree in biology. Wall served in the Peace Corps in Honduras from 2005 to 2007. His work has appeared in Scientific American, Discovery News, Honduras Weekly and other outlets. Contact Wall via https://www.wattglobalmedia.com/contact-us/
While dogs and cats continue to reign supreme, the growth of the “other” pet space can’t be denied: 9.9 million homes own a bird, 6.2 million homes have a small pet (usually small mammals) and 5.7 million homes own a reptile.
