PUNE, INDIA — North America may hold the lion’s share of the pet food processing and packaging equipment market, but steady growth is expected for this sector on a global scale, according to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets.

The evolution of the pet nutrition industry has fueled growth for this sector domestically and abroad. Trends influencing this evolution include premiumization, rising awareness of pet health and nutrition, and technological processing advancements, according to MarketsandMarkets’ “Food Processing and Packaging Equipment Market — Global Forecast to 2028” report.

The market research firm estimated the global pet food processing and packaging equipment sector at a value of $5.32 billion in 2023, and is projecting a 5% CAGR for the sector through 2028 to $6.78 billion.

The largest global pet food processing equipment markets are for forming, mixing and blending, and baking and drying equipment. Keep reading for an overview of these markets today and over the next five years.

Europe

In Europe, MarketsandMarkets clocked the pet food processing and packaging sector at a value of $1.29 billion in 2023, which is expected to grow to $1.63 billion at a CAGR of 4.8% through 2028.

Germany currently holds the largest global share of the market in this region at 6.5%, followed by France with 5.1%, the United Kingdom with 3.6%, Italy with 2.3%, and Spain with 2.1%. The German market for pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $347.8 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $454.7 million at a CAGR of 5.5% through 2028.

“Prepared pet food sales in brick-and-mortar channels have shown a considerable increase, reflecting the willingness of German consumers to invest in premium nutrition for their pets,” the report stated.

The French market for pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $269.0 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $347.2 million at a CAGR of 5.2% through 2028. In the United Kingdom, this market was valued at $193.8 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $242.4 million at a CAGR of 4.6% through 2028. In Italy, this market was valued at $123.1 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $148.6 million at a CAGR of 3.8% through 2028. In Spain, this market was valued at $109.4 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $130.5 million at a CAGR of 3.6% through 2028.

The European market for forming equipment was valued at $501.7 million and is projected to reach $646.9 million at a CAGR of 5.2% through 2028. The market for mixing and blending equipment was valued at $407.4 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $518.8 million at a CAGR of 5.0% through 2028. The baking and drying equipment market was valued at $155.5 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to $185.3 million at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2028.

While most pet food processing and packaging equipment used today is manual, automatic systems are gaining traction the world over. According to MarketsandMarkets, the European market for automatic pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $593.3 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $704.9 million at a CAGR of 3.5% through 2028. However, the market for manual equipment remains top dog, valued at $696.2 million in Europe in 2023 and is projected to reach $925.7 million at a CAGR of 5.9% through 2028.

Asia Pacific

The Asia Pacific region, which includes China, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand, and smaller countries in the area, is home to a pet food processing and packaging equipment sector valued at $1.05 billion in 2023, which is expected to reach $1.38 billion at a CAGR of 5.6% through 2028. This represents the highest regional CAGR for the global sector, according to MarketsandMarkets.

“With a dynamic business profile, the Asia Pacific region will continue to grow at the highest rate in the pet food processing and packaging equipment market,” the report stated. “This is attributed to the growing pet food sector and the increasing investments in the Asia Pacific pet processing industry.”

China currently holds the largest global share of the market in this region at 6.1%, followed by India with 4.6%, Australia and New Zealand with 2.9%, Thailand with 1.8%, Japan with 1.3%, and the Philippines with 1.1%.

“… The Chinese government implemented new pet food regulations introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to support the overall pet food management in the country,” the report shared. “This has led to an increased demand for newer and more efficient machinery for pet food production.”

The Chinese market for pet food processing and packaging equipment is the fastest growing in the Asia Pacific region, valued at $323.3 million in 2023 and projected to reach $434.5 million at a CAGR of 6.1% through 2028. In India, this market was valued at $244.4 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $326.2 million at a CAGR of 5.9% through 2028. In Australia and New Zealand, this market was valued at $156.7 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $203.3 million at a CAGR of 5.3% through 2028.

In Thailand, this market was valued at $93 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $122.6 million at a CAGR of 5.6% through 2028. In Japan, this market was valued at $68.8 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $87.6 million at a CAGR of 4.9% through 2028. In the Philippines, this market was valued at $61.0 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $78.1 million at a CAGR of 5.1% through 2028.

The Asia Pacific market for forming equipment was valued at $408.0 million and is projected to reach $547.7 million at a CAGR of 6.1% through 2028. The market for mixing and blending equipment was valued at $331.0 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $437.6 million at a CAGR of 5.7% through 2028. The baking and drying equipment market was valued at $122.0 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to $151.0 million at a CAGR of 5.5% through 2028.

The Asia Pacific market for automatic pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $498.5 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $618.9 million at a CAGR of 4.4% through 2028. In comparison, the market for manual equipment was valued at $548.4 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $759.1 million at a CAGR of 6.7% through 2028.

South America

In South America, the pet food processing and packaging sector was valued at $654.1 million in 2023, which is expected to grow to $807.9 million at a CAGR of 4.3% through 2028. Brazil currently holds the largest global share of the market in this region at 4.8%, followed by Argentina with 3.4% and Chile with 2.0%.

According to the report, pet food producers in Brazil “are focusing on expanding their presence in the international pet food market through new product lines and innovation, which lead to increased demand for advanced and innovative machinery for pet food processing.”

The Brazilian market for pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $257.7 million in 2023 and projected to reach $328.5 million at a CAGR of 5.0% through 2028. In Argentina, this market was valued at $180.5 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $224.0 million at a CAGR of 4.4% through 2028. In Chile, this market was valued at $108.2 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $129.1 million at a CAGR of 3.6% through 2028.

The South American market for forming equipment was valued at $260.8 million and is projected to reach $325.6 million at a CAGR of 4.5% through 2028. The market for mixing and blending equipment was valued at $204.8 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $258.9 million at a CAGR of 4.8% through 2028. The baking and drying equipment market was valued at $80.1 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to $93.0 million at a CAGR of 3.8% through 2028.

The South American market for automatic pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $318.3 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $371.7 million at a CAGR of 3.2% through 2028. In comparison, the market for manual equipment was valued at $335.8 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $436.2 million at a CAGR of 5.4% through 2028.

Rest of the world

MarketsandMarkets grouped the Middle East and Africa in one category, of which the pet food processing and packaging equipment market was valued at $402.1 million in 2023. This market is expected to grow to $482.1 million at a CAGR of 3.7% through 2028.

“The markets in these regions are in the developing stage and have significant potential for growth due to growing per capita income and rapid urbanization, which has contributed to the increased spending on pet food in this region,” MarketsandMarkets stated in the report.

The Middle Eastern market for pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $151.2 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $178.8 million at a CAGR of 3.4% through 2028. In Africa, this market was valued at $250.9 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $303.3 million at a CAGR of 3.9% through 2028.

Combined, the market for forming equipment was valued at $162.9 million and is projected to reach $199.3 million at a CAGR of 4.1% through 2028. The market for mixing and blending equipment in the Middle East and Africa was valued at $126.9 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $150.8 million at a CAGR of 3.5% through 2028. The baking and drying equipment market was valued at $50.5 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to $58.0 million at a CAGR of 3.5% through 2028.

This regional market for automatic pet food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $193.6 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $219.2 million at a CAGR of 2.5% through 2028. In comparison, the market for manual equipment was valued at $208.6 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $262.9 million at a CAGR of 4.7% through 2028.

Looking ahead

While the report paints a positive picture for the global pet food processing and packaging equipment market, North America is expected to continue leading the growth for the sector.

“The global pet food processing and packaging equipment market is projected to remain dominated by the North American region, which accounted for the largest share during the forecast period,” MarketsandMarkets stated. “This dominance can be attributed to the region’s robust pet food industry, characterized by increased pet ownership and a growing demand for premium pet products. Factors such as high disposable income, evolving consumer preferences and stringent quality standards further contribute to North America’s prominence in the pet food processing and packaging equipment market, making it a key driver of the industry’s growth.”

Read more about the pet food processing and packaging equipment market here.

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