Canada updates import regulations for Thai pet food

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated its import regulations for Thai pet food products. The government regulatory agency claims these changes aim to streamline the importation process and reduce delays.

However, the CFIA has not finalized a date for implementing these import procedures as it is still in discussions with Thailand’s veterinary authority.

In September 2024, Canada imported CA$5.6 million ($3.9M/€3.7M) worth of dog and cat food for retail sale from the Asian country.

Reduced administrative load

Under the new requirements, Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD) will complete a single Annex 1 facility covering all exports from a single facility for 12 months instead of requiring a fresh questionnaire for each shipment.

This adjustment means the DLD will inspect each Thai facility at least once a year and assess all conditions required by the CFIA for export approval.

The agency has restricted the granting of fresh approvals to facilities exporting treats, kibble, freeze-dried food and pet supplements until further notice. It now only allows the trade in canned or hermetically sealed pet food.

The Canadian body clarifies that facilities with existing approvals may continue their current exports after clearing a review.

Standardized import permits

Canada has also introduced the standardization of import permits for canned or hermetically sealed pet food to “reduce the risk of error.”

Under this, all products from approved facilities shipping canned food will require zoosanitary statements, including details about product origin, sterility and quality of animal-origin ingredients.

Furthermore, the CFIA has provided a list of approved ingredients and specific countries of product origin.

Growing industry

In 2023, Thailand was ranked the fourth-largest exporter of pet food worldwide, accounting for 8.3% of the global market.

According to the The Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) of the Ministry of Commerce in the first 9 months of 2024, Thai pet food exports surged 31.4% year-on-year, accounting for THB 80.61 billion ($2.3B/€2.1B). This figure closes on the country’s estimate of reaching $2.5 billion (€2.3B) by the end of 2024.

Of this, dog and cat food accounted for THB 71.47 billion ($2B/€1.9B), growing at a rate of 39.1% YoY. However, exports of other pet food products declined by 8%, totaling THB 9.14 billion ($263.7M/€248M).