PUNE, INDIA — The changing pet food landscape requires an evolution of processing and packaging technologies. According to a recent report from MarketsandMarkets shared by the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), today’s equipment suppliers are responding to a variety of requirements from modern processors, including innovative and clean design, flexibility for in mass production, and special equipment that speaks to the premiumization of dog and cat food.
In the report, “Food Processing and Packaging Equipment Market — Global Forecast to 2028,” MarketsandMarkets suggested premiumization, increasing awareness of pet health and nutrition, and technological advances in processing are the three main factors driving the increased demand for pet food processing and packaging equipment.
Overall, MarketsandMarkets pegged the global pet food processing and packaging equipment sector at $5.32 billion in 2023, projecting a 5% CAGR through 2028 to $6.78 billion.
By region
North America held the largest global share of pet food processing and packaging equipment market in 2023 at 36.2%, followed by Europe at 24.3%, Asia Pacific at 19.7%, South America at 12.3%, and the rest of the world (including Africa , Middle East and remaining countries) at 7.6%.
According to the report, the United States is home to nearly 700 pet food processors that produce more than 7 million tons of pet food each year, much of it for the nation’s population of 65.1 million dogs and 46.5 million cats. Due to this strong demand, the United States will hold 75.5% of the North American pet food processing and packaging market in 2022, followed by Canada at 15.8% and Mexico at 8.7%. The United States also holds the largest market share at the global stage at 27.4% in 2023, far surpassing the next highest market share of 6.5% in Germany and 6.1% in China.
The global market is expected to grow at a steady rate from 2023 to 2028, with an expected CAGR of 5.2% in North America, 5.6% in Asia Pacific, 4.8% in Europe, 4.3% in South America, and 3.7% in other regions of the world.
In 2023, the pet food processing and packaging equipment market in North America was valued at $1.93 billion and is expected to reach $2.50 billion in 2028. In Europe, the market is valued at $1.29 billion and is expected to reach $1.63 billion. A similar story is told in all other global regions, with growth in Asia Pacific expected from $1.05 billion in 2023 to $1.38 billion in 2028, growth in South America expected from $654.1 million in 2023 to $807.9 million in 2028, and slightly slower growth overall. the rest of the world from $402.1 million in 2023 to $482.1 million in 2028.
The pet food processing and packaging equipment market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at a higher CAGR than other global regions from 2023 to 2028, with MarketsandMarkets attributing the accelerated growth on “a surge in pet humanization trends, a shift toward premium pet food options, and expanding manufacturing capabilities, especially in emerging economies like China and India.”
By type of equipment
On the production processing side, equipment development is currently the most used solution in pet food processing applications, according to the report. This category was valued at $2.08 billion globally in 2023 and is expected to grow at a 5.5% CAGR to $2.71 billion in 2028. Not far behind is mixing and mixing equipment, valued at $1.67 billion in 2023 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0 % to $2.14 billion by 2028.
The market for baking and drying equipment was valued at $812.1 million in 2023 with an expected CAGR of 4.6% to $1.02 billion by 2028. Refrigeration equipment was valued at $456.1 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $561.2 million by 2028 at a CAGR which is 4. %, and coating equipment will be worth $184.0 million in 2023 with the potential to reach $218.1 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 3.5%. Other types of equipment are aggregated in the report, representing a value of $114.9 million in 2023 which is expected to grow at a 2.7% CAGR to $131.5 million in 2028.
At the end of the line, form-fill-seal equipment is the largest market with a value of $754.3 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a 6.4% CAGR to $1.03 billion by 2028. Filling and dosing equipment is valued at $606.3 million and is expected to will reach $819.1 million by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.2%. Cartoning equipment, used for the production of pet food sold in cartons such as Tetra Paks, will be valued at $226.7 million in 2023 and will grow at an expected 5.2% CAGR to $292.1 million by 2028.
Case packaging equipment was valued at $220.9 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $285.9 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.3%. Packaging and bundling equipment will be at $175.9 million in 2023 and will reach $228.8 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.4%, according to the report. The market for labeling and coding equipment was valued at $116.4 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a 6.4% CAGR to $158.8 million by 2028. Inspection, detection and checkweighing machinery represents the smallest segment of pet food packaging equipment market in 2023, valued at $114.1 million, but expected to experience steady growth of 5.1% through 2028 to $146.3 million.
The market for all other packaging equipment was valued at $181.9 million in 2024 and is expected to reach $232.2 million by 2028 at a CAGR of 5.0%, according to the report.
Much of this equipment speaks to dry pet food manufacturing, which continues to dominate the industry. According to Circana, a market research firm based in Chicago, sales of dry dog food from June 2022 to June 2023 reached nearly $7 million, up 19.7% year-over-year, at the US Multi-Outlet channels. This sales channel includes grocery, drug, mass market, convenience, military, select club and dollar retailers, and excludes sales from online-only retailers such as Amazon and Chewy. Similarly, sales of dry cat food outpaced other cat nutrition categories with $3.38 billion in sales in the same 12-month period, up 21.8% year-over-year.
“The use of dry form of pet food remains high due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness, due to which the segment is expected to dominate the pet food processing and packaging equipment market,” shared the report.
Manual versus automated systems
Today, manual processing and packaging equipment is slightly more popular in the pet food space, accounting for 53.4% of equipment, while automated equipment represents 46.6%. MarketsandMarkets said it expects the proliferation of manual equipment technologies to continue through 2028, with 56.1% of equipment expected to be manual and 43.9% automated.
In terms of value, manual pet food processing and packaging equipment was clocked at $2.84 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $3.81 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 6.0%. This automated market segment was valued at $2.48 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $2.97 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 3.7%.
Regardless, MarketsandMarkets cited automated equipment and the capabilities it offers pet food and treat processors as an area to watch in the future.
“Hot bets impacting new revenue sources in the pet food processing and packaging equipment market are automation, AI-enabled equipment and innovative extrusion technology for pet food and feed,” the report said. “Revenue shifting for pet food processing and packaging equipment manufacturers in the market appears in various areas, such as packaging for high protein foods and equipment for raw food products. meat and treats.”
By species
It’s no surprise that dog food processing and packaging equipment outperforms the cat food processing and packaging market, as the industry used to lean toward the doghouse and away from the cat perch. This is changing, however, as cat ownership levels increase and cat parents become more interested in products that deliver the same level of premiumization and quality as those found in the dog food aisle.
According to the report, the dog food processing and packaging equipment market was valued at $2.83 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $3.67 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.3%, “due to the diverse nutritional needs and preferences of larger and more different. dog population.” On the other hand, the market for cat food processing and packaging equipment was valued at $1.79 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $2.26 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 4.8%.
Opportunities and challenges
As pet food consumers increasingly look for “better-for-you” nutritional products for their four-legged companions, they’re also looking for brands that take the time and resources to reduce their environmental impacts.
“The environmental impact associated with traditional processing methods is prompting a shift towards eco-friendly and energy-efficient technologies,” the report shared. “This move reflects the industry’s broader commitment to sustainability and is in line with growing consumer preferences for environmentally responsible pet care products.”
Although the majority of emissions from pet food processing operations typically come from raw materials and packaging films, there is still significant opportunity to address sustainability in manufacturing plants. Many processors are addressing this by finding energy-efficient, clean equipment that requires less water to clean and reduces material waste.
High costs for equipment and various regulations in the pet food market are the two main challenges for this sector, according to the report. Additionally, the growing prevalence of homemade pet diets, as well as limited raw material availability and consumer price sensitivity, are also restricting the market for pet food processing and packaging equipment.
“The high initial investment required for advanced processing machinery may deter some players, hindering market inclusion,” the report said.
Find more articles about the latest pet food processing technologies on our Equipment page.
