Dog or cat food for retail sale market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the US dog and cat food market was influenced by the strong trend of pet humanization, where owners sought premium and specialized nutrition, supporting steady demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 directly increased pet adoptions and consumption, though supply chain disruptions and higher raw material costs began to affect the market.

After 2020, market volume gradually declined while value rose significantly, reflecting a shift toward higher-priced, functional foods. The entry of new players and expanded production facilities in 2021 intensified competition and innovation. By 2022, continued humanization drove demand for health-oriented diets with joint support and probiotics, further solidifying value growth despite lower overall tonnage.

In more recent years, the market has focused on customization and convenience, with dog treat sales surging by 12.8% in 2023 and fresh, refrigerated formats gaining presence. The rise of functional diets containing prebiotics and probiotics, along with increased use of vitamin supplements, underscored the ongoing prioritization of pet health and personalized nutrition through 2024.

Production dog or cat food for retail sale in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2019, the United States produced 11,392 thousand metric tons of dog or cat food for retail sale, marking the lowest output in recent years with a 2.1% decline. Production rebounded in 2020, reaching 12,196 thousand metric tons, a 7.1% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of dog or cat food production for retail sale in the United States saw a slight decline of 0.8%. However, by 2020, output had surged to $25,150 million, reflecting a 5.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 8.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dog or cat food for retail sale from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of dog or cat food for retail sale from the United States have grown for three consecutive years. In 2019, exports stood at a lower level, but by 2020, they reached 836.3 thousand metric tons, a 7.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volumes expanded by 23%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest markets for U.S. exports of dog or cat food for retail sale, in volume terms, were Canada, accounting for 44.5% of exports, Japan at 7.7%, and Mexico at 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented 58.5% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of U.S. exports of dog or cat food for retail sale has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled $1,725 million, up 5.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value grew by 24.8%, with an average annual increase of 7.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the leading market for U.S. exports in value terms, comprising 46.9% of the total, followed by Japan at 7.6% and Mexico at 6.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 60.6% of export value.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports dog or cat food for retail sale to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, imports of dog or cat food for retail sale into the United States decreased by 2.9%. However, in 2020, imports rebounded strongly to 292.4 thousand metric tons, an 18.1% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import volumes rose by 32.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources of U.S. imports of dog or cat food for retail sale, in volume terms, were Canada, contributing 42.0% of imports, Thailand at 30.3%, and China at 8.8%. Together, these three countries made up 81.2% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of dog or cat food for retail sale into the United States have risen for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports reached $1,232 million, a 20.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value surged by 46.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand was the top source of U.S. imports in value terms, representing 33.7% of the total, followed by Canada at 24.7% and China at 16.4%. These three countries together accounted for 74.9% of import value.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020