Building Export Credibility in India's Pet Food Industry

As global demand for pet food accelerates and trade frameworks evolve, building export credibility has become central to success in international markets. Recognising this shift, Indusfood is organising a focused panel discussion under its Export Strategy Dialogue series on Building Export Credibility in Pet Food. The session will examine how Indian pet food manufacturers can strengthen market trust, meet international regulatory and quality benchmarks, and position themselves competitively across global marketsâ€â€at a time when standards, traceability, and brand assurance are as critical as price and capacity.

India's pet food industry is rapidly emerging as a competitive player in the global market, supported by abundant raw materials, cost-efficient production, and increasingly supportive policy measures for animal welfare and trade. Indian manufacturers are gaining recognition as reliable suppliers across international pet food and animal feed segments, positioning the country to respond to rising global demand for safe, sustainable, and high-quality pet nutrition.

At the same time, the domestic market is witnessing strong momentum. With a pet population exceeding 42 million in 2024â€â€including over 36.8 million dogsâ€â€and rising disposable incomes among urban millennials and Gen Z households, India's pet food market has reached a valuation of US$ 228.53 million. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% through 2030, driven by rapid urbanisation and the global "pet humanisation" trend. As consumers increasingly seek premium, human-grade, and organic nutrition for their pets, India stands at the intersection of robust domestic consumption and expanding export opportunity.

Globally, the pet food market is experiencing sustained growth, valued at US$ 132.4 billion in 2025 and expected to reach US$ 247.7 billion by 2035, registering a 6.5% CAGR. Conventional products continue to dominate with a 70% market share, driven by affordability, while dog food accounts for over 60% of global sales, reflecting rising canine adoption. Western Europe leads regional demand, with the UK growing at 6.8% CAGR, followed by the US (6.2%), Germany (6.4%), and Japan (6.1%). Global pet food imports touched US$ 47.6 billion in 2024, growing at 8.6% CAGR over five years (ITC Trade Map), with major importers such as Germany, the US, and the UK increasingly seeking sustainable and traceable options.

India's export performance, while still developing, shows encouraging traction. In 2024, pet food and animal feed exports reached US$ 387.5 million, growing at a 7.9% CAGR over five years and placing India 21st globally. Dog and cat food for retail sale nearly doubled from US$ 37 million in 2019 to US$ 73 million in 2024, growing at 14.6% CAGR, while animal feed preparations increased from US$ 227.7 million to US$ 314.5 million. Cost-efficient manufacturing and diverse agricultural inputs continue to underpin India's competitive pricing advantage.

Key export destinations include Bangladesh (18.4%), Nepal (7.6%), and the US (6.9%), with emerging opportunities in Norway, Madagascar, the UK, Sri Lanka, and Chile. While proximity supports South Asian trade, developed markets offer higher margins for premium, natural, and functional formulations. Multinational players such as Mars and Nestlé dominate with scale and R&D, while Indian companies like IB Group and Himalaya are carving space through natural ingredients and affordable innovation, particularly in functional nutrition segments.

Despite this progress, scaling exports remains challenging. Volatile raw material prices, stringent regulatory compliance, and non-tariff barriersâ€â€especially certifications and market-specific standardsâ€â€continue to constrain expansion. Limited brand visibility in mature markets and heightened competition further underscore the need for credibility-led export strategies.

Recognising these challenges, Indusfood 2026 is organising a focused panel discussion under its Export Strategy Dialogue series titled "Building Export Credibility in Pet Food" on 8 January. The session will bring together industry leaders, exporters, and trade experts to examine how Indian pet food manufacturers can strengthen trust in global marketsâ€â€through quality assurance, regulatory readiness, certifications, traceability, and brandingâ€â€while leveraging emerging trade frameworks and demand trends.

To build export credibility, Indian firms must prioritise international quality certifications such as ISO and HACCP, invest in R&D for sustainable packaging and specialised formulations, and leverage FTAs with markets like the UAE and Australia to improve market access. Strategic collaborations with international distributors and digital platforms can further enhance visibility. Government support through export promotion schemes and targeted resolution of non-tariff barriers will remain critical enablers.

Looking ahead, India's pet food exports have the potential to double by 2030, driven by strong domestic growth and rising global demand for innovative, sustainable pet nutrition. By combining traditional strengths with modern manufacturing, compliance, and branding, India can transition from an emerging supplier to a globally trusted pet food exporterâ€â€supported by collaborative platforms such as Indusfood that translate opportunity into action.

The Export Strategy Dialogue session on Building Export Credibility in Pet Food is scheduled for 1645-1730 hrs on January 8, 2026 at Innovation Stage, Hall 11. For more details, click https://shorturl.at/YYOFc

Indusfood 2026 is open to trade visitors. To register your entry, click https://shorturl.at/J8ZOb