On February 16, more than 135 petfood professionals from 15 countries attended Petfood Forum Asia 2012, co-located with agrifeed show Victam Asia, at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
Petfood companies in attendance included Royal Canin, Mars Petcare, Procter & Gamble, Del Monte, Unicharm, Perfect Companion, Nippon Pet Food, Betagro, Total Alimentos and more.
Attendees at Petfood Forum Asia heard David WhyeTyeNg, executive director and CEO of Pet Lovers Centre, describe how his pet retail chain grew sales in 2011 by 25 percent in Singapore, where the company owns more than 43 percent of the pet retail market, and 35 percent in Malaysia. WarangkanaAnuwong of Euromonitor International also discussed the petfood market, including rising pet ownership in the Asia-Pacific region, a projected increase in cat and dog food sales in the region through 2016, and sales growth in all pet product retail channels — led by 168 percent growth in Internet sales, 118 percent growth in pet superstores and 63 percent growth in supermarkets/hypermarkets from 2006-2011.
“Considering that the worldwide economy is still shaky, it would not be a surprise for members of our industry to worry about the near future,” said Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. “But I believe most people who attended Petfood Forum Asia walked away with a ‘glass half full’ view of our industry.”
Upcoming Petfood Industry events include Petfood Forum and Petfood Workshop, April 2-5, in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA, and Petfood Forum China, October 12, in Shanghai, China.