US pet food manufacturers expand reach, eye trade and legislation gains

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is forging global partnerships to expand the reach of US pet food and drive innovation as the industry continues to grow.

Last year, the United States recorded $11.6 billion (€10.7B) in animal food exports, totaling 21.4 million metric tons, with pet food ranking among the top 5 exports by volume. Canada, Mexico, China, South Korea and Japan were the top destinations. 

The animal food industry in the country is estimated to generate more than $267 billion (€227B) in total sales, including approximately $98.4 billion (€83.7B) in value-added revenue, based on an analysis of 2023, the most recent available year.

Countries in focus

Brazil, Morocco and Vietnam are the countries in focus, with meetings scheduled to take place by the end of the year. 

In 2024, AFIA signed an agreement with the Vietnamese Feed Industry Association and the Animal Husbandry Association of Vietnam to promote science-based feed regulations and educate the local industry on advanced feeding practices and the value of US feed ingredients and additives. The initiative builds toward an AFIA trade mission scheduled for October 2025.

Later this year, the association will lead a group of US sellers to the VICTAM LatAm Trade Show in São Paulo, Brazil, to gain exposure in the country’s market, strengthen existing contacts and develop new ones in the feed and ingredient sectors.

AFIA is also monitoring Morocco, where it recently conducted a market assessment to analyze challenges and opportunities in the animal food industry. 

The review identified a non-tariff trade barrier related to genetically modified organisms, along with added requirements for health certificates and labeling. AFIA is working with industry counterparts and the USDA to address these issues.

Legislations

The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) implemented the Animal Food Ingredient Consultation (AFIC) process, an interim system intended for ingredients previously reviewed under the MOU between the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and CVM, which was terminated.

The CVM also launched its review of the Food Additive Petition and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification system to make improvements.

In addition, the 119th Congress reintroduced the AFIA-supported, bipartisan Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (Innovative FEED) Act. If enacted, the bill would allow animal food ingredients with non-nutritive label claims, such as reducing food safety pathogens or improving production efficiency, to be regulated through the FDA’s existing market approval process rather than the current drug approval system.

Supporters argue that the framework would establish a more efficient pathway for industry innovators to introduce new ingredients to market. AFIA is actively engaging sponsors to advance the legislation.