Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry, shares her insights and opinions on all things pet food, addressing market trends as well as news and developments in pet nutrition, food safety and other hot topics for the industry.
From ingredients and other raw materials to finished pet food products reaching the market, the pandemic has confirmed how interconnected everything is.
What consumer trends will shape pet food as the world continues to cope with a global pandemic and economic meltdown, and how can the industry respond?
FDA’s investigation into a possible link between grain-free pet food and DCM, and its handling of the situation, has yielded no answers, only frustration.
Though the pet food supply chain experienced some disruptions with poultry, rendered proteins and grains, they seem to have been localized and short term.
Pet food brands have increased their spending on advertising this year, even during the pandemic, and some are continuing with new product development.
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.
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.
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.