Cats remain the most popular pet in France, with some of the highest per capita ownership in Europe, helping the country’s pet food market grow. In 2022, French pet owners kept 14.9 million cats in their homes, according to the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) “Facts and Figures 2022” report. Along with dogs and other pets, Mordor Intelligence estimates that those cats may help the Frech pet food market reach US$6 billion this year, growing to US$7.36 billion by 2029.
Recent French pet food industry news
Taking advantage of that growth, Mars Petcare announced plans earlier this year to invest €130 million (US$140 million) in its French sites. Part of the investment will go toward installing new pet food production lines at the Saint-Denis-de-L'Hôtel site, which makes Pedigree and Whiskas products. Mars also plans to modernize the existing facility, invest in sustainable packaging as well as increase production capacity and the number of employees. Mars will also invest nearly €48 million (US$52 million) into its nutritional pet food brand Royal Canin at its Aimargues site in Gard.
Likewise in 2024, French producer Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food, a direct-to-consumer business, unveiled plans to significantly strengthen its brick-and-mortar presence in the domestic market in relation to the growing demand for the pet food offered under its brand, Ultra Premium Direct. The company currently operates a network of 10 stores across France, and aims to double this number by the end of this year, according to the information obtained by local business daily Les Echos. Starting in 2025, the French business is aiming to open around 20 new stores per year. The direct-to-consumer business has a goal to operate an expanded network of some 100 stores in the French market by the end of 2028.
Also in 2024, French pet food maker Pepette finalized construction work on a new plant in the country’s region of Centre-Val de Loire, and recently added new products to its portfolio.
Among the newsmakers in the French pet food industry, the four France-based companies listed below appear in Petfood Industry’s Top Companies Database.
Normandise Pet Food
US$193.40
Les Repas Plaisir, Equilibre & Instinct BIO, Eco Diana & Eco Oscar
Virbac
US$126.30
Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food
US$81.30
Ultra Premium Direct
Sopral
US$69.00
Pro-Nutrition Pure Life, Pro-Nutrition Protect, Pro-Nutrition Prestige, Crousti, Premience
