French pet food producer Sopral is investing to expand the production capacities of its factory in Pléchâtel, in the country’s northwestern region.
Anthony Fromont, export business developer for Sopral, told Petfood Industry that last year, the pet food business made about 23,000 tons of premium dry food for cats and dogs at the factory.
Modernized plant to increase pet food production
“We have recently invested €14 million (US$16.7 million) to modernize our plant and increase our production capacity, to produce 35,000 tons by 2024,” Fromont said. “For several years, we have experienced a significant growing demand for our superpremium pet food, in both France and the foreign countries to which we export.”
The investment is part of the company’s strategy to expand and upgrade its output capacities, centered around its Pro-Nutrition brand of dog and cat food that was previously marketed under the brand of Flatazor.
“Our Pro-Nutrition range is a complete line of highly palatable dry food suitable for all breeds, ages, sizes and specific features (fussy pets, food intolerances, etc.) of cats and dogs,” Fromont said. “We have different lines of food: Prestige and Crocktail, our physiological food for dogs and cats, respectively; Pure Life, our holistic and grain-free food for cats and dogs; and Protect, our dietetic food that deals with the frequent health troubles of cats and dogs.”
New export markets to be added
Asked whether the French pet food business was eyeing an increased international presence, Fromont confirmed that Sopral is readying to establish its foothold in a number of countries. “We currently export our petfood to about 50 countries in Europe, as well as Russia, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia,” he said. “Very soon, we will launch our Pro-Nutrition pet food in new countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Algeria.”
As part of its plan to boost export sales, Sopral is currently seeking distributors in various markets to facilitate the international expansion. “We are now looking for more pet-loving distributors in Asia and South America to supply our high-quality food to cats and dogs in new countries,” Fromont said.