Dog or cat food for retail sale market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dog and cat food in the Netherlands stood at 284.7 K t in 2018 before contracting sharply to 173.5 K t in 2019, a decline primarily linked to reduced domestic production. During this period, General Mills entered the Dutch pet food market through its acquisition of Blue Buffalo, intensifying competition in the premium segment.

A recovery to 179.7 K t occurred in 2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic which increased pet ownership and boosted demand for pet food. Shifting consumer behavior, with greater focus on pet health and wellness, further supported sales of functional and premium products.

Subsequent market dynamics were influenced by significant regulatory shifts: from January 2022, new EU regulations on veterinary medicines and medicated feed established uniform rules for market authorization and production. The period also saw a rise in e-commerce and private-label popularity, while inflation led to higher consumer prices for pet food.

Production dog or cat food for retail sale in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the Netherlands, the production value of dog or cat food for retail sale reached 666.6 million US dollars in 2020, marking a slight increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production declined by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 661.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Dog or cat food for retail sale production in the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 526.8 thousand tonnes, down by 1.6% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production decreased by 18.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports dog or cat food for retail sale from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, the Netherlands exported 671.1 thousand tonnes of dog or cat food for retail sale, showing a measured improvement of 6.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 6.1%, with an annualized rate of 2.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 628.3 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for exports in kind of dog or cat food for retail sale from the Netherlands were Germany, accounting for 22.3% of exports, Belgium at 17.0%, and France with 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 52.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The Netherlands' dog or cat food for retail sale exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 1 478 million US dollars, up by 15.6% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 23.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 197 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, exports in value terms of dog or cat food for retail sale from the Netherlands were not heavily concentrated. Germany accounted for 19.6% of exports, Belgium for 14.7%, and France for 14.3%, with these three countries together capturing only 48.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports dog or cat food for retail sale to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Dog or cat food for retail sale imports into the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 293.3 thousand tonnes, indicating a rise of 4.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, with 21.7% of imports in kind, France at 16.8%, and Czechia with 12.3%, consistently remained the main sources for imports, together accounting for 50.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The Netherlands' dog or cat food for retail sale imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 777 million US dollars, up by 11.7% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 608 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a growth of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, accounting for 23.2% of imports in value terms, France at 16.4%, and Belgium with 12.7%, remained the leading destinations in the country structure of imports, with a combined share of 52.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021