Asian pet food manufacturers are revolutionizing the industry by combining centuries-old culinary and medicinal traditions with modern nutrition science and technology, creating unique heritage-driven products like ginseng-infused kibble, edible insect proteins, and lab-grown meat treats that are transforming pet wellness globally.
- Pet Fair Asia 2026 in Shanghai showcased over 2,600 exhibitors featuring heritage-driven pet food innovations combining traditional Eastern medicine with modern nutrition.
- South Korea leads with ginseng-infused kibble for aging pets, edible insect proteins for hypoallergenic diets, and hwangtae (dried pollock) snacks.
- Singapore is the world's primary hub for cell-cultivated pet food, producing lab-grown pharaoh quail treats and nutrient-dense broths.
- Philippines leverages its coconut and tuna exports with virgin coconut oil supplements, moringa superfood treats, and sustainable seafood-based products.
- Japan, Taiwan, and China blend traditional ingredients like goji berries, poria mushrooms, and bonito with premium formulations targeting immunity and organ health.
Regional pet food makers across Asia are turning centuries-old culinary and medicinal traditions into new nutrition concepts, from ginseng-infused kibble to lab-grown quail treats.
Unique pet food products steeped in history and culture and found almost exclusively in Asia were on display at Pet Fair Asia 2026, held Aug. 19-23 in Shanghai.
The 28th edition of the widely attended pet event served as an innovation sandbox for regional pet food producers who combined heritage and modern ideas to advance pet nutrition.
While major global brands dominate the pet food market, smaller Asian producers offer distinct flavor profiles, textures and wellness concepts that are hard to find anywhere else. The following unique products, seen at the fair's national pavilions, are deeply influenced by regional culinary traditions, traditional Eastern medicine, hyper-localization and rapid tech innovations like cultivated meat.
A showcase of heritage-driven innovation
- Ginseng-infused kibble from South Korea is classified as premium food that uses native Korean red ginseng to maximize vitality and coat health in aging dogs and cats.
- Edible insect kibble from South Korea's Bug's Pet uses highly localized edible insect proteins, harvested sustainably, to target hypoallergenic dietary profiles for urban pets.
- Hwangtae (dried pollock) snacks, also from South Korea, are made from roasted hwangtae, a traditional hangover-cure fish that is freeze-dried or roasted into nutrient-dense, low-fat treats for pets.
- Herbal "stick" treats from Taiwan and mainland China blend proteins like lamb or chicken with traditional Chinese medicine herbs such as goji berries and poria mushrooms to boost pets' immunity and kidney health.
- Chawanmushi, a premium Japanese dish of steamed savory egg custard, now has a version for dogs from Japanese manufacturers like Unicharm Pet.
- Bonito and hyper-fresh skipjack tuna paste purees from Japanese pet food giants like Inaba Ciao have revolutionized the cat treats market worldwide.
- Cultivated pharaoh quail meat from Singapore features functional freeze-dried treats and nutrient-dense broth toppers made from lab-grown pharaoh quail cells. Singapore is the world's primary hub for cell-cultivated pet food, led by companies like Friends & Family Pet Food.
- Moringa (malunggay) superfood treats from the Philippines use a local botanical staple that has found its way into grain-free dog food and treats to boost pets' immune system, skin health and digestion.
- Pet food and supplements based on virgin coconut oil were also on display in the fair's Philippine section. Local companies showcased coco-oil chews, cold-pressed VCO liquids and functional formulas made specifically for raw diets to fight inflammation and soothe dry pet skin. The Philippines is the world's leading exporter of coconut products.
- "Fishquits" and other seafood purees and treats drew attention from exhibitors in General Santos City, the tuna capital of the Philippines, who displayed sustainable, single-ingredient dried tuna fins, dehydrated fish skins and fiber-infused "fishcuits." The products offer a high-protein, hypoallergenic alternative to traditional poultry and beef treats.
- Gourmet tropical fruit biscuits from Philippine exhibitors gave the pet market a taste of exotic fruits — like the Philippine mango, world-renowned for its sweetness — and plantain bananas blended with grain-free bases, aimed at the luxury pet treat market.
Pet Fair Asia 2026 drew more than 2,600 exhibitors.
