Dog or cat food for retail sale market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian dog and cat food market saw its physical volume jump from 727 thousand tons in 2018 to 969 thousand tons in 2019, a expansion fueled by the stronger performance of pet shops and greater penetration of large retail chains (GDO) and traditional channels. The rapid growth of e-commerce, with its turnover doubling to €8.3 million in 2018, provided a new, dynamic sales avenue that increased overall market access.

Market volume dipped to 863 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted consumer patterns, but the sector's essential nature provided resilience. A subsequent surge in pet adoptions and more time spent at home drove a recovery to 977 thousand tons in 2021. Volume peaked at 1 027 thousand tons in 2022, supported by the introduction of a reduced 7% VAT rate on pet food in Italy and robust consumer demand for functional snacks and grain-free products, trends reflecting human-grade preferences.

After contracting to 815 thousand tons in 2023, market volume partially rebounded to 903 thousand tons in 2024. The period was marked by significant investment in domestic production, exemplified by Mister Pet's new 12 000 m² facility, and sustained growth in premium segments such as wet food and functional cat snacks, where Italian brands gained recognition through quality awards.

Production dog or cat food for retail sale in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of dog or cat food for retail sale in Italy increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 036 million US dollars, marking a 3.3% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 697 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 32.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 43.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 873.1 thousand tonnes of dog or cat food for retail sale, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest production was in 2018 at 638.6 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 25.6%. The highest production was in 2019 at 891.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 39.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dog or cat food for retail sale from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of dog or cat food for retail sale from Italy increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Italy exported 329.5 thousand tonnes, representing a strong rise of 17.6% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 39.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, France, and Russia were among the largest buyers of dog or cat food for retail sale from Italy, accounting for 14.2%, 8.7%, and 8.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, even combined, they represented just 31.6% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of dog or cat food for retail sale from Italy increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value totalled 501.1 million US dollars, constituting a significant uptick of 19.1% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 49.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in value terms remained scattered. Russia, France, and Greece accounted for 10.3%, 9.7%, and 8.6% of exports in value terms, respectively, together making up just 28.6% of total flows, with no partner standing out as clearly dominant.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports dog or cat food for retail sale to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy imported 319.4 thousand tonnes of dog or cat food for retail sale, indicating a decline of 10.6% compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 357.3 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 4.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Hungary formed the main cluster of markets for imports in kind, accounting for 31.0%, 15.1%, and 8.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 54.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of dog or cat food for retail sale into Italy increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totalled 704.8 million US dollars, indicating a controlled improvement of 4.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, France, Thailand, and Germany were the main markets for imports in value terms, accounting for 25.8%, 17.6%, and 17.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 60.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020