Page 22 - PET worldwide issue 01/2022

Markets

The elderly are the

market drivers

Optimistic expectations prevail for premium dog food brands
in Thailand as Southeast Asia’s biggest pet market continues

to see an increase in the adoption of pooches as well as a shift
in the mindset of owners over the treatment of their dogs.

valuable pet market – and Asia’s for 28 per cent of the popula-
second largest after China. At a tion, making the country a su-
recent virtual conference, Varit- per-aged society. Pet humanisa-
tha Siwawej, business develop- tion, along with the rise of single-
ment manager of Thonglor Pet person households and dual in-
Hospital, said the country’s over- come families that prefer to not
all pet trade has been growing by have children, has also spurred
10.8 per cent annually and was puppy love in Thailand.
valued at 1.4 bn dollars in 2020.
Thonglor, the country’s largest Affection for small breeds
network of private hospitals for Industry experts observe that as
animals, also runs a chain of pet dogs– particularly small ones
stores. – are increasingly seen as ob-
Industry experts observe that as The dog segment of Thailand’s In a study it conducted on the jects of affection, they have also
pooches – particularly small ones pet industry continues to enjoy Thai pet food market, trade pro- become an alternative to chil-
– are increasingly seen as objects
of affection, they have also become good prospects thanks to chang- motion agency Flanders Invest- dren. “Small and toy [dogs] are …
an alternative to children. ing demographics, the growing ment and Trade (FIT) projected treated as child family members,”
importance placed on animals that the number of dogs and cats Mongkol Maenmalai, director of
as companions, and social re- kept as pets in Thailand would the Petfood Industry Associa-
strictions brought about by the grow by 10 per cent annually. tion (PIA) of Thailand, confirmed
pandemic. Industry stakehold- Among the drivers for this are to PET worldwide. He noted that
ers in Southeast Asia’s second the elderly, who look to pets for four of the eight most sought-af-
largest economy anticipate both companionship, industry players ter breeds in the country – poo-
a rise in dog ownership and an note. The Bangkok Post newspa- dles, chihuahuas, beagles, pugs,
expansion of the market that per has reported that Thailand is Pomeranians, golden retrievers,
caters to the species. Dogs cur- set to be classified as an aged Siberian huskies and Labrador
rently dominate the country’s pet society this year, when 20 per retrievers – fit into the small to
population, accounting for 45 to cent of its population will have medium category. He added that
62 per cent of all owned animals. reached the age of 60 and over space constraints, along with the
Industry estimates place the – double the 10 per cent require- manageability of dogs this size,
number of pet dogs at between ment for the ageing category, have also made compact canines
8.1 mio and 8.9 mio. which it had belonged to since more appealing.
Thailand, a country of 70 mil- 2005. The report adds that by Meanwhile, Covid-19 has been
lion people, is the region’s most 2031, the elderly will account a double-edged sword for owning

22 PET worldwide 1|2022

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