Seventy-three years after Cambodia gained full independence from France, a fledgling dog food maker has found a French partner to help it upgrade its capabilities in nutritional research, product development, ingredient sourcing and quality standards.
Jomney, a Cambodian pet food brand produced by Kirisan Group, signed a partnership agreement in June with a group of French pet nutrition specialists, whose company name was not disclosed. Industry leaders and members of the media attended the signing ceremony in Phnom Penh.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to bring international expertise to Cambodia and provide quality nutrition for pets at prices local consumers can afford, Jomney executives said.
"Quality nutrition should not be a luxury. Every pet deserves access to nutritious food regardless of their owner's budget. Our goal is simple: provide Cambodian pets with real ingredients, proper nutrition and exceptional value," a Jomney official said.
"Before Jomney, many pet owners in Cambodia depended heavily on imported products," a company spokesperson said. "However, imported does not always mean better. Many products have been marketed as premium simply because they come from overseas, while relying heavily on flavorings, colorings and additives rather than real, nutritious ingredients. As a Cambodian brand, we believe we have a responsibility to be honest and transparent with consumers. Quality should be determined by what is inside the bag, not where the bag comes from."
Middle class fuels market growth
Cambodia's pet food market is projected to reach about $25.8 million, with a compound annual growth rate of 10% to 11.3%. Driven by an expanding middle class, this growth reflects a cultural shift from feeding pets table scraps and rice to providing premium and organic foods.
While the market was once dominated by lower-quality imports from Thailand and Vietnam, high-end global brands now hold a significant share. Along with Jomney, other local brands in the market also comply with standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Cambodia's dog population is estimated at roughly 5 million, most of them strays. Most households keep two dogs as pets or guard dogs.
Cambodians rarely keep cats as pets; as a result, no official population count is available. Younger pet lovers in the country, however, are more open to welcoming cats into their homes, giving hope that cat ownership could become more common.
