Ukrainian producer Kormotech has adopted a new growth strategy, aiming to become one of the top 30 pet food producers in the world by 2028.
“Kormotech plans to surpass more than 20 global companies within five years, when the expansion of production in Lithuania is fully launched,” the company said in a statement issued on Petfoodindustriya.com. “Currently, [local subsidiary] Kormotech UAB Lithuania operates a modern robotics plant in the economic zone of Kėdainiai. The construction of four new production lines is planned for the years 2025 to 2028 with the support of [the country’s foreign investment agency] Invest in Lithuania.”
Under the plan, the Ukrainian business will invest around €60 million (US$64.5 million) in its Lithuanian production capacities.
The company expects to continue to increase its export sales in the coming years, said Rostyslav Vovk, the CEO and co-owner of the Ukrainian pet food maker.
“We export to 42 countries, but 15 countries in the region have been selected as priority markets where we expect growth and will strengthen our presence according to the strategy for the next 5 years,” he said. “Romania is one of Kormotech’s biggest export partners in the region, along with Moldova, Hungary and Poland. We see prospects here and we want to not only make our Optimeal and Club 4 Paws brands famous, but also change attitudes toward pets and create what we call a culture of responsible pet ownership.”
Vovk said the company wants to convey a “message that Kormotech’s production, distribution and innovations have expanded beyond Ukraine, and we are looking to further increase global visibility and integration into global industry processes “.
“The ultimate goal is to change the ratio of export and domestic sales from 30% against 70% to 70% against 30%” according to the company’s chief executive.
Latest. Kormotech expanded its distribution to Spain and Italy, where it exported for the first time in 2020. Earlier this year, the company announced two new partners there: Piensos Mary and Petschoice/Disegna.
Kormotech’s new corporate strategy sets the goal of increasing the company’s annual sales to approximately US$500 million by 2028.
Meanwhile, Kormotech Ventures, the company’s venture arm, has been developing its activities since its launch last year. The entity made its first acquisition by investing in Rocketo, a start-up producing dried organic pet food for the UK market. Kormotech Ventures management says it is looking for pet food startups involved in alternative feeds, alternative protein sources and promoting sustainability.
Georgian pet food producer to add new brand to portfolio
Nutrimax of Georgia operates a pet food factory in the Caucasian country, and is ready to launch new products, according to company representatives.
Mariam Tishchenko, the marketing specialist at Nutrimax, said Petfoodindustriya.com in a statement the plant was opened in 2022, and it is equipped with a capacity of up to 25,000 tons of pet food per year, including dry extruded food for cats, dogs, and aquaculture.
“Before 2023, the Georgian market will be highly dependent on imports of all kinds of pet food and supplements,” he said. “Since March, three Nutrimax-produced dry food brands for dogs and cats, namely Winny, Simpo, and Skippy, have made a significant impact on the market.”
In addition to its domestic market, the Georgian company sells its output to Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Moldova, according to Tishchenko.
“Going forward, Nutrimax is committed to expanding its product range. In the next two months, we are set to introduce a new premium [pet] food brand, Competento, in the market,” she said.
Turkish pet food maker to launch sales in the Philippines
Turkish pet food producer Çağatay Pet Food has unveiled plans to begin selling its flagship cat food brands in the Philippines.
“Our best-selling cat food brands, LaMito and LaMitomix, are coming to the Philippines,” the company said in a statement.
“With their high quality and nutritious ingredients, LaMito contributes to the health of your furry friends. Soon, they will be available for cats in the Philippines,” according to Çağatay Pet Food.
In addition to cat food, the Turkish business also offers dog food sold under several brands, including Kucho and Kennel.
Founded in 1982 by local businessman Oktay Çağatay, the company says it has an annual production capacity of about 45,000 tons per year, offering dry and wet pet food to its customers in Türkiye and the abroad.
Çağatay Pet Food is based in Izmir, in the western part of Türkiye. The manufacturer’s facilities are equipped with a footprint of 16,000 square meters (172,200 square feet), according to data from Çağatay Pet Food.
