Italian pet food market unaffected by the crisis

The Italian pet food market continues to show a high level of dynamism and potential with a turnover of more than €2 billion in 2020 (+4.2% in value and +2% in volume with respect to 2019).

The data originate from the 14th edition of the Assalco – Zoomark Report, compiled by Assalco, the National Association for Pet Food and Pet Care Businesses.

“This result hardly comes as a surprise,” comments Gianmarco Ferrari, Chairman of Assalco. “During such a dramatic time as the Covid pandemic, pets have been assuming an increasingly important role in households, as confirmed by Italians’ heightened attention to pet foods and pet care products that are essential to their pets’ wellbeing.”

Market shares and turnover by category

Cat food and dog food continue to be the largest categories. In 2020, IRI found that sales in the main distribution channels (grocery, traditional pet shops and pet shop chains) amounted to €2,257 million for a total of 626,600 tons of pet food sold, corresponding respectively to increases of 4.2% and 2% on 2019. Added to these data are the results achieved by pet shops within the grocery retail chain, the new distribution format created by a number of retail outlets which in 2020 sold 6,036 tons of cat and dog food to a value of €34.3 million.

Cat food represents 53.2% of the total market value in the grocery, traditional pet shop and pet shop chain channels, generating a value slightly higher than €1,200 million (up 5.9% on 2019). Dog food accounts for the remaining 46.8% of the market with a value of around €1,057 million (+2.3%).

The market for pet food for small animals in 2020 registered a turnover of just above €12 million at hypermarkets, supermarkets and minimarts. Food for ornamental birds represents 42.1% of the market in value and 50.5% in volume, while food for rodents makes up 30% in value and 38.9% in volume.

Pet hygiene products also grow

IRI data also reveal growth in the segment of everyday pet care accessories (products for hygiene, play, leads, pet beds, bowls, cages, fish and reptile aquaria and various related items). In 2020 this segment recorded a value of €72.8 million in the grocery retail channel (+2.3% in value and +6.7% in volume compared to 2019).

The hygiene products segment maintains its importance with a value of almost €33 million, up by 14.7%. The pet toy segment has reached significant dimensions, with an overall business volume close to €6 million (+1.7% with respect to 2019). The separately analysed segment of cat litter trays recorded sales in the grocery retail channel of more than €76 million in 2020, an increase in value of 3.1% compared to the previous year.

Food photo created by rawpixel.com - www.freepik.com