Asia Pacific is currently taking a bite of the US$342.38 million ingredients market, specifically those that give an appetizing texture to pet food.
The region's texture ingredients market — which creates a variety of "mouthfeel" characteristics such as chewy, crunchy, gelatinous and fibrous — was valued at $286.6 million in 2024 and is forecast to reach $489 million by 2030 at a 9.3% CAGR, according to a market report from Grand View Research.
Ingredients to enhance texture and nutrition
Demand for texturized pet food is spurred by consumers who indulge their pets with something more premium and palatable than basic kibble. Manufacturers during the forecast period are expected to innovate using advanced ingredients that enhance both texture and nutrition, the report said.
Among the many texture-modifying ingredients on the market, modified starch is regarded as the best option for giving pet food an enhanced texture that is stable and appealing. The biggest demand for modified starch will be within the dog wet food segment, where it helps maintain quality during storage and serving.
Manufacturers of dry dog food, on the other hand, are expected to use more native starch to deliver texture consistency, better kibble structure and improved shelf life, the report said.
For the cat food segment, the texture-modifying ingredients of choice appear to be gums and hydrocolloids for wet food, and corn gluten meal for dry kibble. These ingredients enhance overall product quality, particularly when it comes to sensory appeal.
Using AI to optimize taste and texutre
The report identified China, Thailand, Japan and Australia as leading markets for texturized pet food, both in development and consumption. In these countries, pet food innovations for better mouthfeel are leaning toward the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize taste and texture in food formulations, as well as scientifically formulated products that are highly safe and enjoyable to eat.
The mouthfeel trend in pet food also creates an opportunity for natural and clean-label formulations, the report said. As consumers increasingly seek products free from artificial additives, both ingredient suppliers and pet food manufacturers will be more encouraged to use sustainable, eco-friendly and plant-based texture ingredients.
Australia is seen as moving in this direction faster than other countries, as manufacturers push for functional texture solutions using plant-based ingredients to support the natural and clean-label preferences of health-conscious pet owners.
The report characterized the texture ingredients market as "moderately concentrated, with a mix of ingredient suppliers and strong regional players competing for market share." Some of the key companies operating in Asia Pacific include Mars Inc., Cargill Inc., Ingredion Inc., Kemin Industries Inc., Roquette Frères, Tate & Lyle and ADM.
