Thailand targets further growth in pet food exports as producers expand

Sustained export growth, coupled with a regional shift towards health-focused pet nutrition, is strengthening overseas demand and prompting major pet food producers, including Nestlé and Betagro, to expand their operations in Thailand.

The Southeast Asian market remains the world’s second-largest exporter of pet food, recording an export value of $3.3 billion (€2.9B) in 2025, according to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP).

Nestlé boosts Purina capacity

Nestlé is investing more than CHF 157 million ($196M/€169M) in its facility in Rayong, approximately 180 km south of Bangkok, to expand pet food production under Purina brands Felix, Friskies, Pro Plan and Purina ONE. The additional capacity will serve domestic demand and exports across Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA).

The Rayong site currently manufactures wet pet food in pouches and cans. A company spokesperson told GlobalPETS that the investment will add 2 production lines to the facility, bringing the total to 5. The producer expects the new lines to be operational in 2028. 

The expanded facility is expected to use locally sourced raw materials, including poultry, fish and vegetables. Nestlé said the expansion is driven by rising pet ownership, greater adoption of commercial pet food, premiumization and an increased focus on pet health and wellbeing across the region.

“Pet food is one of Nestlé’s most dynamic segments globally, accounting for around 21% of Group sales. This investment reflects our confidence in its long-term potential across AOA as well as the rest of the world,” says Remy Ejel, CEO of Nestlé Zone AOA.

Betagro’s expanded portfolio

Bangkok-based agro-industrial and food company Betagro is expanding its premium pet nutrition portfolio, focusing on therapeutic products, wellness-focused items and snacks made with human-grade ingredients.

Somcharn Suphapitiporn, COO of Pet Business at Betagro, says these premium segments are expected to account for 54% of the company’s pet business by 2028, up from 45% in 2026.

The producer is also building brand awareness through ambassadors, celebrities and influencers to engage younger pet owners, while expanding its presence in export markets, particularly across Asia. “These combined efforts aim to drive ฿5.6 billion ($172M/€150M) in sales over the next 3 years,” Suphapitiporn adds.

Company background

Betagro’s key export markets currently include Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia. The company is expanding into additional markets, including Bahrain, the UAE, Brunei, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Its Pet Business offers dog and cat food and snacks under the brands Perfecta, DOG n joy, CAT n joy and BingoStar. Products are sold through pet specialty stores, veterinary hospitals and clinics, modern trade outlets and online platforms.

In 2025, Betagro’s pet business generated ฿2.7 billion ($83M/€72M) in sales, up 25% year over year (YoY). Domestic sales increased 18%, while exports grew 43%.

The Thai pet food market

Thailand’s total pet food exports grew by 8.15% YoY in 2025, up from $3 billion (€2.6B) in 2024. The country currently holds a 10.2% share of the global export market, second only to Germany’s 12.1%.

Nantapong Chiralerspong, Director-General of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) under the Ministry of Commerce, says that processed pet food remains one of Thailand’s most lucrative agricultural exports.

Between January and May, Thailand exported pet food worth $1.4 billion (€1.2B), up 5.1% from the same period the previous year. 

The US was the largest pet food export market, accounting for $430.8 million (€374.8M), or 30.2% of trade.

Japan followed at $157.9 million (€137.3M), or 11.1%, while Australia accounted for $76.6 million (€66.6M), or 5.4%, Italy for $72.6 million (€63.2M), or 5.1%, and Germany for $65.7 million (€57.2M), or 4.6%.

Exports also grew across several markets, led by France at 101.5%, followed by New Zealand (36.7%), the UK (36%), Germany (32.3%), Australia (25.7%), India (19.1%), Japan (12.1%) and Malaysia (9.1%).