Petfood Industry’s editors and reporter have been covering the COVID-19 pandemic since early March as it spread around the world altering pet owners’ purchasing behaviors and disrupting supply chains.
A boom in sales benefited many pet food companies early in the pandemic. As pet owners reduced their movements outside the home, e-commerce grew quickly. Although supply chains slowed or were disrupted, pet food ingredients suppliers tried to stockpile in preparation for the pandemic, although changes in human food rippled out to pet food suppliers. Meanwhile, new product development continued, as did mergers and acquisitions.
16 articles by Lindsay Beaton, editor
Petfood Forum 2020 will go virtual in September
June 10, 2020 - Petfood Forum CONNECT, the digital version of our annual Petfood Forum show and conference, will feature speakers from the Forum 2020 lineup, as well as opportunities to network digitally with fellow industry experts.
Global transportation challenges reach pet food
June 1, 2020 - The world is collectively experiencing nearly unprecedented supply chain challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the pet food industry must meet them.
COVID-19 will change consumer behavior: Are you ready?
May 25, 2020 - With a global economic recession on the horizon and a continued reduction in disposable income, pet owners will be more frugal with their dollars than ever before in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vet telemedicine, online food ordering up during COVID-19
May 18, 2020 - Digital pet healthcare, including prescribed pet foods, is becoming more popular as people try to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back to work? Employees need confidence in employers
May 11, 2020 - In the next couple of months, employees will be returning back to offices, production plants and other facilities worldwide. Here’s what they want — and need — to hear from their employers.
Helping brick-and-mortar pet retailers survive COVID-19
May 3, 2020 - It’s clear that consumers’ views of retail are changing rapidly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. How can the pet food industry help their retailers prevail in the brick-and-mortar space?
Looking for loyalty? Now’s the time to cultivate it
April 27, 2020 - With e-commerce picking up speed during the COVID-19 pandemic, more customers than ever are researching potential pet food brands. Now is the time to carefully cultivate loyalty online.
Pet CBD purchasing reflects COVID-19 e-commerce bump
April 20, 2020 - The CBD segment of pet products is seeing a sustained upswing in online sales as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Buckle up: Pet sales a rollercoaster helmed by COVID-19
April 12, 2020 - Current pet stores sales data show significant spikes and dips in sales as pet owners stockpile amid COVID-19 fears.
E-commerce: It’s where you want to be
April 7, 2020 - As the pet food industry begins to address the challenges of COVID-19, pet owners look to e-commerce to get their pet food shopping done.
Pet food safety: HPP, COVID-19 are hot industry topics
April 6, 2020 - With a continuing upward trend in pet food premiumization and a COVID-19 global pandemic, pet food safety is more of a focus than ever, particularly in the areas of HPP and sanitation.
COVID-19 and pet food consumers’ new purchasing normal
March 30, 2020 - How is the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting pet owner buying patterns and needs?
Helping pet owners help themselves during COVID-19
March 23, 2020 - The U.S. government has declared parts of the pet food industry ‘essential’: What needs to happen in order to keep things moving along?
2 tips boost pet food industry remote work productivity
March 18, 2020 - While, pet food factories, testing labs and kennels will always need boots on the ground, many jobs can be done from the disinfected comfort of home.
3 tips for achieving work-from-home life balance
March 18, 2020 - The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is necessitating huge disruptions in the way we work — here’s how you can make things easier when working from home.
Global Pet Expo debrief: CBD, DCM, party time for pets
March 2, 2020 - A lot of the expected trends were on display at Global Pet Expo — here’s what I saw.
23 articles by Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief
Marketing, product development still driving pet food
June 11, 2020 - Pet food brands have increased their spending on advertising this year, even during the pandemic, and some are continuing with new product development.
How resilient is the pet food market?
June 9, 2020 - The pet food market has persevered and even grown throughout economic downturns for several decades. Will that hold during a pandemic and other disruptions?
Petfood Forum 2020 goes virtual as Petfood Forum CONNECT
June 8, 2020 - Petfood Forum 2020, transitioned to an online event due to COVID-19, will offer expert insights on the pet food market, nutrition and safety post-pandemic.
Direct-to-consumer: next big opportunity for pet food?
June 5, 2020 - As pet food e-commerce continues to grow, driven higher by the pandemic, direct-to-consumer may become a viable channel for CPG brands, including pet food.
Do pet food consumers still care about sustainability?
May 28, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be making some pet food shoppers and other consumers focus more on sustainability, food waste and natural/organic products.
Are you confident in the pet food market’s resilience?
May 20, 2020 - The Petfood Industry Confidence Index shows how pet food professionals feel about business conditions, both the current status and short-term future.
Video: How pet food brands can connect with consumers now
May 14, 2020 - CPG marketing expert Bonin Bough, keynote speaker for Petfood Forum 2020, provides tips for pet food brands to stay front of mind with their customers.
Will COVID-19 surge in pet food, other e-commerce last?
May 13, 2020 - More people, including pet food buyers, have been using digital channels during the pandemic, but the surge is not completely positive or guaranteed to last.
COVID-19 influence on pet food consumer trends, behaviors
May 7, 2020 - Key pet food drivers have included convenience, technology and confidence, but what those trends mean to consumers is changing during the pandemic.
Video: COVID-19 lessons for pet food manufacturers
May 5, 2020 - Dr. Paola Cane, a crisis management expert who works with many pet food companies, shares experiences and lessons from Italy’s COVID-19 outbreak.
How will COVID-19 affect pet food M&A in 2020?
May 5, 2020 - While pet food merger and acquisition activity has been strong to date in 2020, the pandemic may lead to smaller deals and a focus on profitability.
How prevalent are COVID-19 pet food ingredient shortages?
April 29, 2020 - Anecdotal reports of pet food ingredient shortages in the U.S. are rising, while industry associations say the supply chain is facing no major disruption.
Pet food stocking up: what pet owners bought
April 23, 2020 - U.S. pet owners stocked up on pet food in March, preparing for having to stay home. What types of foods did they buy, and has the sales surge continued?
Video: how COVID-19 affects pet food research, hiring
April 17, 2020 - Pet food expert Greg Aldrich explains why the industry could experience long-term effects from even less pet food research and filling of the talent pipeline.
Do pet food brand loyalty, quality apply in a pandemic?
April 16, 2020 - Do consumers follow their usual pet food buying habits and preferences for brand and quality during a crisis like COVID-19, or does it depend on availability?
Pet food execs optimistic about sales, concerned for staff
April 8, 2020 - Most respondents to the Petfood Industry COVID-19 global survey said they are experiencing pet food sales increases and striving to keep their workforce safe.
Pet food lone bright spot in 2020 US pet market outlook
April 2, 2020 - Pet food sales will grow 4% in 2020, says Packaged Facts, even as the US pet care industry takes a huge hit from COVID-19; meanwhile, acquisitions continue.
What will the pet food market look like post-COVID-19?
April 2, 2020 - Pet food sales surged through March, as the pandemic spread through the U.S., but that may not last, affecting pet food production, retail and other areas.
FDA urges pet owners not to hoard pet food
April 1, 2020 - There are no actual pet food shortages in the US due to the COVID-19 crisis, just unprecedented demand, says director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine.
How pet food makers can assure pet owners amid COVID-19
March 25, 2020 - Increasing pet food sales indicate pet owners are stocking up due to the pandemic and may turn to pet food brands for reassurance and information.
COVID-19 questions confronting pet food, other businesses
March 18, 2020 - The global coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone, including our pets, pet food businesses and related industries. What are your experiences?
Petfood Forum 2020 rescheduled for August 19-21
March 13, 2020 - Petfood Forum 2020, rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will still offer expert insights on the pet food market, nutrition and hot topics like CBD.
Pet food trends at Global Pet Expo 2020: bars, bugs, buzz
February 29, 2020 - Talk at Global Pet Expo was all about DCM, COVID-19 and CBD, but new pet food sales data, product launches and formats put the focus on food.
50 articles by Tim Wall, senior reporter
New pet food product development perseveres in pandemic
June 9, 2020 - Although the COVID-19 pandemic slowed many aspects of the global economy, while taking hundreds of thousands of lives, the pet food industry found ways to adapt.
J.M. Smucker pet food sales up US$46.6 million in FY20 Q4
June 4, 2020 - U.S. pet food sales increased by 6% over the previous year’s US$721.4 million for Smucker.
COVID-19, pet food e-commerce, cheese: May 2020 columns
June 3, 2020 - However, AAFCO regulations, online pet food sales and even cheese also appeared on Petfood Industry.
USDA confirms first case of COVID-19 in US dog
June 3, 2020 - On June 2, federal officials publicly confirmed the first case of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection in a pet dog in the U.S.
US pet food e-commerce interest grew to 28% in pandemic
June 2, 2020 - In the United States, pet owner interest in purchasing dog, cat and other pet foods online increased dramatically as the COVID-19 pandemic spread.
WHO simulated pet cats spreading new disease among humans
June 1, 2020 - What if a disease erupted that could spread from pets to people and vice versa? The World Health Organization prepared for just that scenario.
Pandemic challenges global pet food ingredient suppliers
May 28, 2020 - Despite the best efforts of any particular pet food industry business to prepare for the pandemic and deal with its effects, COVID-19 affected the entire supply chain.
Infrastructure allows pet food ingredient supply mission
May 27, 2020 - Along with the crucial mission of providing food, many pet food industry suppliers had the infrastructure in place to make good on that goal.
New pet food product launches down during 2020 pandemic
May 21, 2020 - New pet food and treat launches in the first third of 2020 fell far behind previous years’ number of product introductions.
March online pet food sales grew 77% over 2019; Dry 84%
May 13, 2020 - Online sales of pet food were already growing steadily in the Unites States before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted pet owners’ movements.
Kibble sales fluctuate with pandemic; Treats up late April
May 13, 2020 - By the week ending March 21, dry pet food sales in 28-pound or larger bags had climbed 74% compared to that same third week in March 2019.
Sales down YOY after pandemic’s pet food retail spike
May 12, 2020 - In April 2020, pet food sales decreased compared to the same month in 2018 and 2019.
Humanization, natural pet food trends may be near limit
May 7, 2020 - Those trends have become so widespread that they may no longer fuel growth in the same way.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition sales at US$719 million in Q1 2020
May 6, 2020 - Net sales of Hill’s increased 20% compared to this time last year to reach US$719 million, up from US$600 million in the first three month of 2019.
Future mergers and acquisitions shaped by pandemic buying
May 5, 2020 - Business movements in the pet food industry may follow the restrictions in people’s ability to move about.
Pet food safety protocols aid plants’ pandemic protection
May 4, 2020 - Federal scrutiny of Salmonella and similar microbes in pet food facilities unintentionally may have helped dog, cat and other pet food makers in the pandemic.
FDA, AFIA discuss pet food label changes in pandemic
April 29, 2020 - What happens if pet food companies need to switch out ingredients due to pandemic-related shortages? Likewise, what if the order of the ingredients changes?
China exports pet food vitamin, amino acids in pandemic
April 29, 2020 - The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has witnessed an issue with blood meal for livestock feed, but not for ingredients specific to dog, cat and other pet foods.
Q&A: How CEO boosted team performance with remote work (video)
April 24, 2020 - Remote work can boost profitability, along with employee productivity and retention, but transitioning to it suddenly has challenged many leaders in the pet food and agrifood industries.
13 Simmons Pet Food employees positive for COVID-19
April 23, 2020 - Thirteen employees of a Simmons Pet Food plant in Emporia, Kansas tested positive for coronavirus infection although not all had reported to work while ill.
Co-product supply for pet foods not stopped by pandemic
April 22, 2020 - Sanitary procedures need to be learned and equipment to be installed, but one industry expert doesn’t see any serious disruption to rendered co-product production for pet food ingredients.
DCM, consolidation, COVID and costs key to pet food 2020
April 20, 2020 - Four trends may influence dog, cat and other pet food companies for the remainder of 2020 and into the near future.
4 enduring elements of pet food industry success
April 16, 2020 - While the pandemic’s effects will continue through the year, certain aspects of consumer demand trends may be amplified by the sudden need to stay at home.
17% report buying more pet food online during pandemic
April 14, 2020 - After the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread restrictions on movements in the United States, Civic Science, a consumer research firm, asked 1,861 U.S. pet owners about their pet food buying habits.
Sanitizing better than COVID testing in pet food plants
April 13, 2020 - FDA officials also discussed how pet food industry facility staff should prove essential worker status during the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.
Pet food pros cope without conferences and trade shows
April 10, 2020 - While Petfood Forum and other trade shows or conferences changed their dates in response to COVID-19, pet food industry personnel found ways to connect using the internet for both productivity and to share well-wishes.
Internet key to pet food industry changes post-pandemic
April 9, 2020 - Many pet food industry professionals suddenly found themselves working from home as factories and offices worldwide reduced their staff to a minimum.
WHO updates pet guidance during COVID-19 pandemic
April 9, 2020 - The World Health Organization (WHO) updated its guidance on the risks of COVID-19 to pets.
Pandemic hampers pet food delivery, retail availability
April 8, 2020 - Petfood Industry is conducting a global survey of professionals working for dog, cat and other pet food companies, ingredient or equipment suppliers, packaging manufacturers and others.
Sales high, but pet owners stock months of dog, cat food
April 7, 2020 - Pet food industry analysts observed U.S. retail sales dramatically increase during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly of dry kibble, as pet owners changed buying habits to build stockpiles.
Pet foods may help avoid next pandemic with conservation
April 6, 2020 - Wildlife conservation’s economic value to humanity became clear in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pet food industry supply chain intact during COVID-19
April 3, 2020 - As of the beginning of April, much of the pet food production supply chain remained intact, despite the global COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 virus replicates in cats, transmits cat-to-cat
April 3, 2020 - The scientists conducted similar experiments with dogs, pigs, chickens, ferrets and ducks. The virus could replicate in ferrets and cats, and could transmit from cat to cat.
4% growth forecast for 2020 pet food sales, down from 6%
April 2, 2020 - Total U.S. retail sales of pet products and services may decline by 17% in 2020, compared with the 5% growth forecast prior to the coronavirus pandemic by market research firm Package Facts.
Purina acquires UK natural pet food maker Lily’s Kitchen
April 1, 2020 - Lily's Kitchen recently expanded into the Middle East and Asia and already has a growing presence in France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.
Dog, cat food industry suppliers’ pandemic preparations
April 1, 2020 - As the health crisis expanded, these companies prepared and developed contingency plans for various potential scenarios in the markets where they operate.
Purina worker positive for COVID-19; Nestle may pay wages
March 30, 2020 - A worker for Purina PetCare tested positive for the presence of the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19.
FDA to brief animal food industry on COVID-19
March 30, 2020 - FDA will host a stakeholder call with the pet food and other animal feed industries on Tuesday, March 31 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
400 jobs available on Petfood Industry Career Center
March 27, 2020 - Pet food ingredient, equipment and packaging suppliers remain at work. The Petfood Industry Career Center provides more than 400 opportunities around the nation.
Tollden Farms raw pet food acquisition during pandemic
March 27, 2020 - Increasing numbers of remote workers may create opportunities for dog, cat and other pet food companies, as pet owners spend more time at home with their animals.
Blue Buffalo pet food sales at US$1.14 Bil so far in FY20
March 26, 2020 - General Mills has expanded distribution of Blue Buffalo pet foods in FDM channels, including the launch of Wilderness in last year’s fourth quarter.
Dog, cat adoptions boom during COVID-19 pandemic
March 24, 2020 - This boost in pet populations may influence the fortunes of the pet food industry in the economic upheaval created by the disease.
Blue Buffalo sales spiked early in U.S. COVID-19 pandemic
March 23, 2020 - General Mills’ executives discussed the effects of COVID-19 and resultant stock market crash during the company’s third quarter of fiscal year 2020 earnings call.
Feds deem pet food industry vital during COVID-19 pandemic
March 20, 2020 - United States Department of Homeland Security officials defined some pet food industry professionals as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2nd pet dog tests positive for COVID-19 coronavirus
March 19, 2020 - Health officials analyzed oral and nasal swabs from the dog, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, and another dog from the same home in Pok Fu Lam, a residential district of Hong Kong.
2 tips boost pet food industry remote work productivity
March 18, 2020 - While, pet food factories, testing labs and kennels will always need boots on the ground, many jobs can be done from the disinfected comfort of home.
3 tips for achieving work-from-home life balance
March 18, 2020 - The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is necessitating huge disruptions in the way we work — here’s how you can make things easier when working from homr.
Dogs, cats seem safe from coronavirus disease COVID-19
March 16, 2020 - Likewise, the Centers for Disease Control, OIE and World Health Organization have no evidence that pets can be a source of SARS-CoV-2 infection or spread COVID-19 to people.
Dog infected by coronavirus COVID-19 in Hong Kong
March 9, 2020 - The World Organization for Animal Health published a report of the emerging disease, listing this case as the first in dogs.
