Russian pet market (II): Over 200 new brands in 2024
With imports down 40% and facing regulatory pressure, domestic production surged last year. Will the trend continue in 2025?
Domestic pet food production reached 1.56 million tons in 2024, a 13% increase in volume year-on-year (YoY). Currently, Russia has 345 active pet food manufacturing facilities.
The country significantly reduced pet food imports in 2024 due to tightening regulatory restrictions imposed by the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor, FSVPS).
Several key foreign suppliers faced import bans or limitations, disrupting market availability.
The import of dry food from Farmina Pet Foods’ Serbian factory was suspended, and only its wet food production site was permitted to continue shipments. Although restrictions were lifted in December 2024, new shipments are expected to reach the market this year.
Later in 2024, import restrictions targeted the Hill’s production facility in Italy, pet food from all factories in Thailand and temporary bans on pet food from multiple manufacturers in France and Italy. In November 2024, imports from Asian Alliance International Company in Thailand were reinstated; however, each shipment remains subject to stringent laboratory testing.
The numbers
As a result, total pet food imports in the first half of 2024 fell by approximately 40% YoY, amounting to 28,400 tons.
By year-end, total import volumes were estimated at no more than 45,000-50,000 tons. The only companies authorized to import to Russian pet food suppliers are SOPRAL (France), Sanypet SPA, Gheda Mangimi Srl and Diusapet Srl. Key suppliers also include China, Serbia, Argentina and Turkey.
Restrictions significantly impacted the prices of imported pet food, which more than doubled. The withdrawal of major brands, particularly in the veterinary diet segment, created supply gaps that have yet to be filled.
The deficit of foreign products in traditional retail channels also fueled demand for grey imports, which became increasingly available through online marketplaces.
+200 new brands
Import substitution policies accelerated the local production of pet food. In 2024, 267 new pet food brands entered the Russian market, joining 500+ brands launched since 2022.
Throughout 2024, Russia’s pet industry experienced consistent growth in pet food manufacturing.
According to Zooinform, total pet food production reached 1.56 million tons. The sector recorded a 13% YoY increase in output, reflecting a tangible rise in domestic consumption of locally produced pet food.
Major new market players include specialized pet food manufacturers such as Petexpert and Limkorm, along with prominent meat and grain processing companies that have successfully diversified by establishing pet food production lines.
Governmental and regional authorities have become increasingly active investors, further driving the development of the pet food manufacturing sector nationwide.
However, challenges also emerged. One of the main issues is that private-label customers facing liquidity problems due to tightened credit conditions are delaying payments.
2025: cautious optimism
Mandatory dry pet food labeling came into force in October 2024, followed by wet pet food labeling in March 2025, which also impacted the pet food industry. The average price for domestically produced pet food increased to ₽154,300 ($1,670/€1,711) per ton, reflecting a 17.5% increase since the beginning of 2024.
Kirill Dmitriev, the President of the National Pet Industry Association, anticipates “significant” industry changes following the removal of value-added tax (VAT) for private veterinary clinics and the reduction of insurance contributions for pet food manufacturers.
“I look forward with cautious optimism. On the one hand, the industry continues to grow. On the other, there are pressing concerns that will require our attention and strategic solutions in 2025,” he says.
Limkorm, the largest pet food manufacturer in Russia, anticipates a 34% increase in pet food production. “One of the key trends is the growing demand for pet food with a high fresh meat content,” notes company owner Sergey Liman.
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