The pet food industry has become one of the most dynamic categories in international trade. Rising pet ownership, the humanization of pets, premium nutrition, and the growth of online retail are creating new opportunities for producers looking to expand beyond their domestic markets.

For pet food manufacturers, the opportunity is not limited to traditional dry dog and cat food. Importers are increasingly looking for wet food, treats, natural formulas, functional products, high-protein recipes, private-label ranges, and premium products that respond to the same quality expectations consumers have for their own food.

The global direction is clear: pet owners are spending more on products that promise quality, safety, convenience, and better nutrition. Premiumization, pet health, and digital channels are major forces shaping the pet care market, while pet food and treats remain the largest spending category in the U.S. pet industry.

For exporters, the key question is not only where demand is growing, but where qualified pet food importers and distributors are actively looking for new suppliers.
BestFoodImporters, with its dedicated Pet Food Importers Platform, can offer access to thousands of qualified leads for pet food exporters who are looking for qualified, updated leads. 

Pet food importers in the United States

The United States remains one of the most important pet food markets in the world and a priority destination for many international producers.

Demand is supported by high pet ownership, strong purchasing power, and a mature retail environment that includes supermarkets, pet specialty chains, independent stores, veterinary channels, and e-commerce platforms. APPA lists pet food and treats at $68.3 billion in the U.S. market and projects this category at $69.7 billion in 2026.

Competition is intense, but the size of the market creates opportunities for differentiated products. Exporters with natural ingredients, specific health positioning, sustainable packaging, private-label capabilities, or unique protein sources may attract interest from importers and specialized distributors.

The best opportunities are usually not in competing directly with mass-market brands, but in offering something distinctive: premium wet food, functional treats, limited-ingredient recipes, breed- or life-stage-specific formulas, or products with a strong origin story.

Pet food importers in Germany

Germany is one of the most attractive pet food markets in Europe and a strategic entry point for exporters targeting the wider EU region.

According to trade data reported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Germany was the world’s largest importer of dog and cat food in 2023, with imports of more than $2.4 billion.

German buyers tend to be selective and quality-oriented. Importers often look for products with clear labeling, reliable documentation, strong food safety standards, and credible sustainability credentials. Organic, natural, grain-free, high-meat, and transparent-ingredient products can perform well when positioned correctly.

For exporters, Germany can also serve as a gateway to Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Central Europe, and the Nordic region, depending on the distributor’s network.

Pet food importers in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom remains one of Europe’s strongest pet food import markets.

The UK was among the top global importers of dog and cat food in 2023, with imports of around $1.65 billion and strong growth between 2019 and 2023.

British consumers are highly receptive to premium pet products, natural ingredients, functional positioning, and products that fit the broader trend of treating pets as family members. This creates opportunities for brands that can offer clear differentiation.

The UK can be especially attractive for exporters with premium dog food, cat food, treats, fresh-style products, sustainable packaging, or private-label manufacturing capabilities.

Pet food importers in Poland and Central Europe

Poland is one of the most interesting pet food markets for exporters looking at growth rather than only market size.

In 2023, Poland ranked among the top global pet food importers, with imports close to $1.4 billion and one of the strongest growth rates among major importing countries from 2019 to 2023.

Poland is attractive because it combines rising consumer spending, strong retail development, proximity to other Central and Eastern European markets, and growing demand for both premium and affordable-premium pet food.

For exporters, this region can be a good fit for competitive brands that offer solid quality, attractive packaging, and pricing that works for fast-growing retail chains and online sellers.

Pet food importers in Canada

Canada is another high-value market for pet food exporters.

It was the fifth-largest importer of dog and cat food in 2023, with imports of approximately $1.3 billion.

Consumer preferences are similar to those in the United States, with strong demand for natural, premium, specialized, and health-focused products. However, the market may be less crowded than the U.S., making it attractive for exporters looking to build a North American presence step by step.

Canadian importers often value consistency, documentation, food safety, and the ability to maintain long-term supply relationships.

Pet food importers in Japan

Japan remains one of the most sophisticated pet food markets in Asia.

The country is a significant importer of dog and cat food, and Japanese consumers are known for high expectations regarding product quality, safety, packaging, and detailed information. Japan was listed among the top ten global importers of dog and cat food in 2023.

Products that perform well in Japan often have strong quality positioning, smaller package sizes, clear functional benefits, and premium branding. Cat food, senior pet nutrition, and products focused on health and longevity can be particularly interesting.

Exporters targeting Japan should be prepared for detailed product documentation, strict quality requirements, and careful importer selection.

Pet food importers in South Korea

South Korea has become one of the most attractive Asian markets for pet food exporters.

The market has grown rapidly, driven by urban lifestyles, smaller households, rising cat ownership, and increased spending on pet care. South Korea’s pet food market reached around $1.5 billion in 2023, with strong growth from 2018 to 2023. Cat food and premium wet dog food were among the fastest-growing segments.

South Korea also remains import-dependent. In 2023, imported pet food came from a diverse supplier base, with China, the United States, Thailand, Japan, Canada, France, and Australia among the main suppliers.

For exporters, South Korea is attractive for premium cat food, wet food, functional treats, high-quality imported brands, and products adapted to e-commerce and specialty retail.

Pet food importers in China

China is one of the largest long-term opportunities in the global pet food industry, but also one of the most complex markets.

The country’s pet food market has grown rapidly over the past decade, driven by urban pet ownership and higher per-pet spending. However, exporters need to understand that domestic brands are becoming stronger, and local competition is increasing. Reuters reported that China’s pet food market has surged to more than $24 billion, while local brands are challenging international players with competitive prices, e-commerce strategies, and product innovation.

China also presents regulatory and cost challenges. A 2026 market update noted that China raised the import tariff on retail-packed dog and cat food from 4% to 10% starting January 1, 2025, adding pressure to imported products.

Exporters targeting China should focus on strong differentiation, clear safety credentials, online retail strategy, and the right importer or local partner.

Pet food importers in the United Arab Emirates

The UAE is an increasingly attractive pet food market and a useful regional hub for the Gulf.

The UAE pet population grew from 588,700 pets in 2014 to 938,000 pets in 2024, while pet food retail value increased from $61.8 million to $219 million over the same period. Dog and cat food represented almost the entire value of the market.

Demand is being shaped by pet humanization, higher disposable incomes, expatriate communities, and interest in premium, health-focused, natural, fresh, organic, and high-protein options.

The UAE is especially interesting for premium exporters, but regulatory preparation is essential. Pet food products must be registered and approved by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and local importers play a key role in applying for import permits. Labels must also meet Arabic-language requirements.

Pet food importers in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is another Gulf market to watch closely.

The Saudi pet food market reached around $275 million in 2024, with rapid growth since 2019, driven by rising pet ownership, changing social norms, higher disposable incomes, and pet humanization.

Demand for high-quality nutrition, natural ingredients, premium products, and pet treats is increasing. E-commerce is also helping make premium pet care products more accessible across the market.

For exporters, Saudi Arabia may be attractive for premium dog and cat food, treats, and products designed for specialized retail, supermarkets, and online platforms.

Pet food importers in Thailand

Thailand is both a major pet food producer and a fast-growing domestic market.

The country is one of the world’s largest pet food exporters, but domestic demand is also expanding. USDA FAS reported that Thai consumers spent an estimated $1.6 billion on commercially prepared pet food in 2024, including $1.3 billion for dog and cat food. The same report highlights pet humanization, premiumization, rising cat ownership, e-commerce, human-grade pet food, and functional products as key growth drivers.

For foreign exporters, Thailand can be challenging because local manufacturers are strong, especially in premium and wet pet food. However, niche, science-driven, hyper-premium, or specialized products may still find opportunities through the right importer.

Key Pet Food Trends Importers Are Looking For

The most attractive pet food export markets are not only growing in volume. They are also changing in terms of product expectations.

Premiumization remains one of the strongest global trends. Many pet owners are willing to pay more for products they perceive as healthier, safer, more natural, or better suited to their pets’ needs. Euromonitor identifies premiumization and pet humanization as major drivers of value growth in global pet care.

Functional pet food is another major opportunity. Importers are increasingly interested in products positioned around digestion, immunity, skin and coat, mobility, dental care, weight control, and senior pet nutrition. High-protein, vitamin-rich, and immunity-related claims are among the leading global pet food claims identified in 2024.

Cat food is gaining attention in several markets. South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and many urban markets are seeing growth in cat ownership because cats are better suited to smaller homes and busy city lifestyles. This creates demand for wet cat food, premium cat treats, senior cat formulas, and products designed for indoor cats.

E-commerce is becoming essential. In some markets, online platforms are already a major channel for pet care, while in others they are still expanding quickly. Euromonitor notes that pet care retail is shifting across both physical and digital channels, with e-commerce especially important in markets such as the United States and China.

Finally, importers are paying closer attention to transparency. Clear ingredient lists, nutritional information, origin, certifications, shelf life, packaging quality, and regulatory documentation can make the difference between a successful listing and a missed opportunity.

How Pet Food Producers Should Approach New Markets

Before contacting importers, exporters should prepare a clear market-entry package.

This should include product specifications, ingredient lists, nutritional analysis, shelf life, packaging formats, production capacity, certifications, pricing structure, minimum order quantities, and available marketing materials.

It is also important to define the ideal importer profile. Some producers need a national distributor with access to supermarket chains. Others may be better suited to specialty pet retailers, veterinary channels, online sellers, private-label buyers, or regional distributors.

Pet food is also a regulated product, especially when it contains animal-origin ingredients. Exporters should verify import requirements, registration rules, labeling standards, health certificates, and customs procedures before shipping samples or agreeing to commercial terms.

Finding Pet Food Importers and Distributors

Identifying the right market is only the first step. The real challenge is finding qualified importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and e-commerce buyers that are already active in the pet food category.

A strong importer can help with registration, product positioning, retail introductions, logistics, labeling, and local marketing. The wrong partner can delay market entry, create compliance problems, or fail to build visibility for the brand.

BestFoodImporters helps exporters locate food importers for specific products and regions through an advanced filtering system. The platform provides access to reliable buyers in 200 countries, with updated contact details and company profiles.

For pet food producers planning international expansion in 2027, the best opportunities will come from combining market research with direct buyer discovery. The most successful exporters will not only choose attractive countries, but also identify the importers most capable of turning demand into long-term sales.