U.S. and Canada: Page 80

EU pet owners spend US$33.05 billion on pet products, study finds

EU-member states spend an annual €25 billion (US$33.05 billion) on pet necessities such as petfood, according to a study conducted by IFH Retail Consultants, a subsidiary of the Institut für Handelsforschung. Nearly three-quarters of the total European pet owner expenditure goes to petfood, with the amount spent on pet accessories and pet care products much less in contrast, the report found.

Petfood brand Eukanuba, American Kennel Club host World Challenge

Petfood brand Eukanuba's fifth Eukanuba World Challenge took place in Orlando, Florida, USA, in mid-December 2011, hosted by the 11th American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championships. In the competition, 41 dogs represent countries around the world, competing in four geographically independent categories for the title of "Eukanuba World Challenge Champion 2011" and a US$10,000 prize.

Canadian petfood producer works to lower production facility smell

Canadian petfood manufacturer Champion Petfoods is working to reduce the smell from its plant in Morinville, Alberta, after local residents complained about the odors from the plant, the St. Albert Gazette reported. According to president, Frank Burdzy, the company’s October air quality tests suggested the plant was operating at 50 odor units per cubic meter, a 15% to 20% reduction from the level in April.

US FDA issues two more aflatoxin-related dog food recalls

The US Food and Drug Administration posted an "updated" recall notice on its website, dated December 14, with two additional petfood recalls and corrected petfood product lot numbers, all related to dog food with elevated aflatoxin levels. These most recent recalls, for O'Neal's Feeders Supply's Arrow Brand dog food and dog food from Petrus Feed and Seed Stores Inc., come in addition to December recalls by Cargill, Proctor and Gamble's Iams, and Advanced Animal Nutrition dog food also for high aflatoxin levels.

Market Trends and Reports

Mars Petcare to expand petfood production plant in South Carolina, USA

Petfod manufacturer Mars Petcare is increasing its pet treat production with a US$128.6 million expansion at its Columbia, South Carolina, USA, facility, which will create about 277 jobs over the next five years, The State reported. The 290,000-square-foot expansion will more than triple the plant's payroll at Mars, according to the report.

AFIA to host 2012 Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference

The American Feed Industry Association will host its annual Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conference for more than 450 buyers and sellers of animal feed and petfood ingredients, from March 14-16, 2012. Highlights of the program include tips on bar code data collection for managing productivity, inventory management and traceability; packaging and requirements; an overview of federal regulatory requirements for producing animal feed; and China's impact in the US animal feed industry.

Global pettfood market to reach US$95.7 billion by 2017, report predicts

Global Industry Analysts Inc. released a report on the global petfood market, which projects the market will reach US$95.7 billion by 2017, driven by macro regional economic conditions, pet population and consumer attitude. The report, "Pet Foods: A Global Strategic Business Report," provides an overview of petfood industry trends, issues, strategic industry activities and profiles of major petfood manufacturers worldwide.

New Zealand raw dog food manufacturer seeks investors

New Zealand raw dog food manufacturer K9 Natural is seeking to raise US$2.5 million from new investors. The Christchurch-based company says it has grown from a small business with US$650,000 in sales to US$5 million turnover and to 22 employees in the past three years through an export focus to main overseas markets in the United States, Canada, Japan and Hong Kong.

AFIA to hold petfood conference at 2012 International Feed Expo

The 2012 Petfood Conference will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on Tuesday, January 24, at the International Feed Expo/International Poultry Expo, organized by the American Feed Industry Association and US Poultry & Egg Association. The conference covers a variety of topics ranging from regulatory issues to the technical aspects of production, food safety, marketing and use of ingredients.

Petfood not necessarily to blame for US pet obesity epidemic

A recent Chicago Tribune article focuses on the epidemic of overweight cats and dogs in the United States. A 2011 survey, conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, found that more than half of the dogs and cats in the US are overweight or obese, which is defined as being at least 30% above normal body weight.

Global petfood industry worth $50 billion in 2010, Markets and Markets report estimates

In 2010, the global pet market was estimated to be worth more than US$50 billion in 2010, according to Markets and Markets' petfood industry report, "Global Pet Food Market by Type, Animal, Geography Trends & Outlook 2011-2016." The report says that North America dominates the global petfood market, with more than 40% of the total market share in 2010.

Illinois, USA, petfood manufacturer accused of 23 violations by US safety group

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration found 23 violations at an Illinois, USA, petfood manufacturer, the Chicago Tribune reported. According to OSHA, petfood company All-Feed Processing and Packaging Inc. exposed its workers to high levels of dust and excessive noise, and used trucks powered by liquid propane in areas where combustible dust was present.

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