Pet food ingredient, equipment and packaging suppliers remain at work.
The U.S. Department of Labor received 3.28 million initial unemployment claims in the week ending March 21. However, pet food ingredient, equipment and packaging suppliers remain at work. U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials defined some dog, cat and other food industry professionals as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic. As more American search for work that ever in history, the Petfood Industry Career Center provides more than 400 opportunities around the nation.
Pet food industry may prove resilient in pandemic economy
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, the global economy falters as numerous nations freeze travel, millions stay home, hospitals overflow and thousands die. However, the pet food industry may prove resilient to this turmoil and tragedy. Pet owners purchased large quantities of dog, cat and other pet food as they prepared for the pandemic, as a General Mills’ executive noted about Blue Buffalo sales in March. He believes pet food sales will remain strong despite the effects of the pandemic and its economic aftermath, citing the inelasticity of demand for pet food during the Great Recession.
Similarly, Packaged Facts publisher David Sprinkle believes that pet food’s performance during the Great Recession may give hope during the current market crash and volatility. Pet foods and treats even may have gotten a short-term bump the first quarter of the year, as pet owners stocked up, Sprinkle wrote in “Pet market bulletin: Assessing coronavirus impacts on the pet industry.” Supply chains may be disrupted though.
Tim Wall covers the dog, cat and other pet food industries as a senior reporter for WATT Global Media. His work has appeared inScientific American, Live Science, Discovery News, Honduras Weekly, Global Journalist and other outlets. He holds an M.A. in journalism and an M.S. in natural resources, both
from the University of Missouri - Columbia, along with a bachelor's degree in biology.
Wall served in the Peace Corps in Honduras from 2005 to 2007, where he coordinated with the town government of Moroceli to organize a municipal trash collection system, taught environmental science, translated for medical brigades and facilitated sustainable agriculture, along with other projects.
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.
