Debbie Phillips-DonaldsonDebbie Phillips-Donaldson is editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry magazine and Petfood Forum.From the Author - Page 64Pet Food MarketPetfood executives urge industry to share food safety practices, contact lawmakers"Food safety is not proprietary," declared Mike Hayes, director of food safety and quality for Del Monte and a speaker during "Petfood Insights: New Approaches to Quality & Technology." The symposium took place September 10-11 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA (yes, Elvis was sighted) and was hosted by Kemin.Pet Food MarketAlternative protein sources for petfood: are insects the answer?Increasing humanization of pets around the world -- even in China, a small (but rapidly growing) pet market, 90% of pet owners say their pets are part of the family, according to Mars Petcare China -- means rising numbers of pet owners who want and expect to feed their pets products similar to the types of food products they're seeking for themselves. When it comes to protein sources, that translates to seeking "human grade" meats, poultry or fish and shunning any ingredients perceived as lesser quality, such as meat or poultry by-products or meals. Petfood manufacturers have understandably responded to these consumer demands. So everyone should be happy, right?Pet Food MarketOnline petfood sales: Small but growing channelThe International Pet Industry Summit (IPIS), held in late August in Shanghai, China, as part of Pet Fair Asia, focused this year on pet product ecommerce. Like China's pet care industry overall, this sector seems to be small but growing quickly, especially when compared to the rest of the world.Pet Food MarketChina pet care market growing rapidlyThe global pet care market will reach US$96 billion in sales by the end of this year, reported Clarissa Nicklaus, senior research analyst for Euromonitor International, during Petfood Forum China 2013 last week. With the market growing 4% annually each year since 2008, that means it could top the US$100 billion mark in 2014. Petfood makes up 77% of the global market, Nicklaus said, meaning sales will hit nearly US$74 billion this year.Pet Food MarketDo you have insights to share with petfood industry professionals?If you have new research findings, deep knowledge or experience on a specific aspect of petfood manufacturing or marketing, why not share it with your peers in the petfood industry? Consider submitting an abstract to present at Petfood Forum 2014 or Petfood Forum Asia 2014.Pet Food MarketHuman food trend that petfood should not follow: ignoring FSMASince the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in January 2011, I have seen reactions in our industry ranging from approval to grudging acceptance to complaints to anxiety. I have even heard anecdotes about a few, mainly smaller petfood or treat manufacturers who say they do not have the time or resources to comply with the law and its regulations, so they plan to just ignore it.Pet Food MarketNew research benefits pets, people and pet industryWhile some issues arising from last week's American Veterinary Medical Association conference -- like whether veterinarians receive enough education on pet nutrition -- might spur controversy, I think everyone can agree that research on the benefits of the human-pet bond, presented during the accompanying conference of the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO), is a positive development for pets, people and the pet industry.Market Trends and ReportsUS pet owner spending: Behavior versus attitudeAfter the Great Recession, it was not surprising to see growth of petfood sales in the US reach only 2.8% in 2010. While any growth was positive, especially considering how the global economy was faring overall, that was down from 6% growth just three years before and 8.3% in 2002, according to Packaged Facts.Pet Food MarketVeterinarians trying to learn more about pet nutrition"You know more about nutrition than you think you do." That was one of the messages Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, PhD, DACVN, professor of clinical nutrition with the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California-Davis, imparted to her audience during the American Veterinary Medical Association's annual convention, taking place in Chicago this past weekend through today.Pet Food MarketLatest human food trends parallel petfood trends (or vice versa)Petfood product development follows human food trends by only "half a step," said David Sprinkle, research director and publisher with Packaged Facts, during a Petfood Forum 2013 presentation. That was just three months ago; judging by information presented at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo this week, I am beginning to think that perhaps petfood has already caught up and is marching in lock step with human food in many areas.Pet Food MarketPrivate label petfood strong in Europe, has opportunities in USPrivate label products have never become a significant part of the US petfood industry, reaching only as high as 9.7% of the market in 2010, according to Packaged Facts. In fact, in 2011, US private label petfood sales slipped 4.4%, decreasing the overall share of the market to 9%, SymphonyIRI data showed.Pet Food MarketIndulgent petfood trends may not be healthy long termA UK chef creates a "luxury" cat food consisting of roasted duck, lobster roll, Beluga caviar and beetroot jellies, and costing £24.99 (US$37.98). In the US, dog food trucks purveying "dog-friendly" ice cream and cookies are growing in popularity, to the point where some companies are seeking to franchise their concepts.Previous PagePage 64 of 81Next Page
