Taiwan’s pet food exports jump 377% in 6 years
The Asian nation increased its pet food exports by 44% in 2022 and gained market share in neighboring countries.
The Taiwan Council of Agriculture (COA) reported that the country exported 1,922 short tons of pet food in 2022.
According to the Taipei Times, citing official figures, pet food exports accounted for $17.66 million (€16.2M) in 2022. In 2021, exports were worth $12.2 million.
The local media reports that since 2016 the value of dog and cat food increased by 377%.
Chiang Wen-chuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Industry, told local media that the country primarily relied on pet food imports and is now “becoming a focus for domestic producers” with its diverse supplement market.
Nowadays, Taiwanese pet food producers are increasing their presence in markets such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Korea.
Consumer behavior
Local pet parents prefer made-in-Taiwan pet foods, which contain added supplements for dental bones and functional foods for older pets, according to Deputy Director Chiang.
In July 2022, it was reported that the COA was looking to propose some amendments to the legislation that would incentivize local manufacturers to invest in more natural pet food options.
According to MarketWatch, the pet food market is expected to witness an annual growth of 4.0% up until 2031. It also suggests that the dry pet food segment accounts for about 80% of the market share.