In 2022, the European pet food market demonstrated robust growth, reaching EUR 29.1 billion (US$ 31.1 billion) with an impressive average annual growth rate of 5.1% over the past three years.
Despite cats being the most prevalent pets in Europe in 2022, with a total of 127 million feline companions residing in 26% of households, dogs were a close second, with 25% of European households welcoming a furry canine member. These insights were shared in the “Facts and Figures 2022” report by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), which delved into the intricate landscape of pet ownership across Europe. The following ten countries boasted the largest populations of pet dogs.
The European pet food market’s stellar performance was driven by pet owners purchasing 10.5 million tonnes (11.6 million US tons) of pet food products, indicating a steady 3.5% annual growth rate. In 2022, Europe was home to approximately 150 pet food companies, collectively operating around 200 facilities that employed 118,000 individuals. FEDIAF’s data also highlighted that 91 million European households had at least one pet, signifying that approximately 46% of European households included a cherished animal companion.
