Dog or cat food for retail sale market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The dog and cat food market in Poland was a dominant segment within the pet care industry in 2018, accounting for over 96% of all animal feed sales. Market volume remained stable around 500,000 t into 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 unexpectedly boosted the sector as increased pet ownership and the humanization of pets fueled demand, particularly for premium and fresh food products, lifting market volume to 526,000 t.

Market volume continued to grow, reaching 587,000 t in 2021. The humanization trend drove further expansion in 2022, with consumers spending more on health and quality, while e-commerce channels gained importance with basket sizes over five times larger than in discount stores, supporting a market volume of 606,000 t. A pivotal shift occurred in 2023 when production surged by 21%, aided by Poland's consolidation as a regional logistics hub and the June 2023 opening of the Chinese market to Polish manufacturers, which spurred exports and contributed to a sharp increase in domestic market volume to 769,000 t.

In 2024, the market volume stabilized at 769,000 t, while production climbed another 21% and the market's value continued to grow at about 10%. This reflected ongoing structural changes, including the rising dominance of cat food—which captured 48% of market value—and the growing popularity of wet food for dogs and sachets for cats. Consumer preference shifts toward premium products and complementary items, alongside the expansion of e-commerce, sustained the market's momentum.

Production dog or cat food for retail sale in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the output of dog or cat food for retail sale in Poland was valued at 859.8 million US dollars, marking a 1.4% increase compared to the previous year. The highest value was reached in 2018 at 987.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 14.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a rise of 79.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Dog or cat food for retail sale production in Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland produced 815.8 thousand tonnes of dog or cat food for retail sale, up by 8.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 48.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%.

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

Exports dog or cat food for retail sale from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Dog or cat food for retail sale exports from Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume totalled 721.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 24.6% advance compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 68.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of dog or cat food for retail sale from Poland were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 30.6% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 6.5%, and Czechia for 6.3%, with these three countries jointly representing only 43.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Poland's dog or cat food for retail sale exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 1 306 million US dollars, representing a 28.4% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 102.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of dog or cat food for retail sale from Poland were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 34.9% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 5.8%, and France for 5.8%, with these three countries jointly representing only 46.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dog or cat food for retail sale to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of dog or cat food for retail sale imports into Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland imported 431.6 thousand tonnes of dog or cat food for retail sale, up by 32.0% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 75.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.6%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Germany, with 31.7% of imports in kind, Czechia with 20.3%, and Hungary with 12.8%, led the ranking of suppliers of dog or cat food for retail sale to Poland. Their combined share reached 64.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Dog or cat food for retail sale shipments to Poland from abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 982 million US dollars, corresponding to a steep rise of 41.8% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 136.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 33.3%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Germany, with 35.2% of imports in value terms, Czechia with 10.0%, and France with 9.1%, were the primary suppliers of dog or cat food for retail sale to Poland. These three countries jointly accounted for 54.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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