Pampered pets spur sharp growth in U.S. pet food exports

AgExporter, Sept, 1997

Around the world, packaged pet foods have become big sellers as household animals that in previous generations might have been fed table scraps or been left to fend for themselves are leading more pampered lives. Consumers are even extending their dietary trends to their pets, serving up specially formulated "gourmet," low-calorie and all-natural rations.

Canada, the European Union (EU) and Japan took nearly 80 percent of U.S. pet food exports last year. The recent U.S.-EU veterinary agreement will preserve about four-fifths of U.S. trade to the EU, resolving several issues that jeopardized U.S. access to this growing pet food market. Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy are the largest European customers.

U.S. exports scored even stronger gains in several smaller markets with fast-developing economies. In the developed countries, pet ownership and the money spent on pet products have increased along with greater affluence, fewer children and smaller family sizes. The same patterns are evident in many developing countries, where a household pet is often viewed as a status symbol.

Canada, the EU and Japan Led Pet Food's Top Dozen Markets
for Fiscal 1996

                              U.S. exports         Increase,
Market                      1990        1996         1990-96
                                (Mil. $)          (Percent)(1)

Canada                      91.5       197.4(*)           116
European Union              35.2       183.3(*)           421
Japan                       63.3       147.9              134
Mexico                       2.9        29.5(*)           925
Taiwan                       5.0        14.7              192
Argentina                    (2)        10.2(*)       126,825
Switzerland                  3.1         9.6              206
South Korea                   .8         7.7(*)           813
South Africa                 (2)         7.6(*)       108,643
Brazil                       (2)         7.2(*)        89,750
Chile                        (2)         6.4(*)        30,176
Australia                    1.4         5.2(*)           269

1 Percentage changes are based on unfounded data.
2 Less than $50,000.
* Denotes a record high for U.S. pet food exports in 1996.