U.S. pet food exports to Australia and New Zealand maintained strong positions in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (see infographic below).
In New Zealand, U.S. exports of dog and cat food reached US$18 million in 2025. All exports consisted of retail-ready products.
New Zealand imported a total of US$186 million in pet food during the year. Australia remained the largest supplier, followed by Thailand, while the United States ranked third among exporters to the market.
Growing interest among New Zealand pet owners in quality ingredients, product safety and tailored nutrition could create additional opportunities for U.S. manufacturers. The Foreign Agricultural Service noted that these consumer preferences position U.S. brands for potential market share growth.
Australian pet food market
Australia represented a substantially larger market for U.S. suppliers. Exports of U.S. dog and cat food to Australia totaled US$104.6 million in 2025, reinforcing the United States' position as the country's second-largest supplier.
Australia's total pet food imports reached US$440 million in 2025. Thailand remained the leading supplier, while the United States ranked ahead of competitors from the European Union and New Zealand.
Australia's import market expanded by more than US$100 million in a single year, creating opportunities for suppliers offering high-protein recipes, breed-specific diets and health-focused products that align with consumer preferences.
Combined, U.S. exports to Australia and New Zealand totaled US$122.6 million in 2025. While Thailand and Australia maintain dominant positions within the region's pet food trade, the United States has established itself as a key supplier in both markets.
The continued emphasis on premiumization and pet humanization trends in Australia and New Zealand could support further growth for U.S. brands as consumers seek products that combine quality, safety and targeted nutritional benefits, noted the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service analysts.
Tim Wall | DALL-E
