Page 23 - PET worldwide issue 01/2022

Thailand pet care market value
(in mio dollars)
pets in Thailand. On the one hand, home. Projections that the pet CAGR: 10.8% 1 406.9
social restrictions imposed dur- dog population will continue to
1 270.0
ing the pandemic have created climb – even at a slower pace
1 146.4
not only a need for companion- – coupled with a growing affec-
1 034.8
ship, but also a stronger bond tion that pet owners feel towards
934.1
between pet and parent. “People their furry wards bode well for 843.2
stay home longer than [they did] Thailand’s dog food market.
before the pandemic. This is help- According to Varittha Siwawej, 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
ing build up human-animal inter- sales of cat and dog food to- Data extracted from the presentation of Varittha Siwawej, business development manager at Thonglor Pet Hospital,
action,” Mongkol Maenmalai said. talled 1.2 bn dollars in 2020, ac- at the Preconnect by Pet Fair SEA virtual conference, June 2021, entitled 'Pet care market in Thailand 2020'
Note 1: figures from 2016-2019 reflect amounts that are computed based on the compound annual growth rate of
On the other hand, economic counting for 87 per cent of the Thailand's pet care market. They do not necessarily show the actual value of the market during these particular years.
difficulties arising from the pro- overall pet care market in the Note 2: the figures are good for mapping out the growth of the pet care market in the country,

assuming that the growth happened at a steady rate over the review period.
longed health crisis have caused country. FIT’s estimates are more
many to live a dog’s life – and conservative, placing the share prising; the FIT study pointed out
as they reel from job losses, of the segment at 45 per cent. It that Thailand is the world’s fourth
reduced spending power, and projects that the pet food market largest exporter of pet food after
higher cost of living, some have will grow by 5 to 10 per cent an- Germany, the USA and France.
resorted to pet abandonment. nually from 2020 to 2025. Notwithstanding the appe-
Mongkol Maenmalai said the Mongkol Maenmalai said pet tite for cheaper grades, indus-
issue was somewhat mitigated food broke forecasts during try players believe there is room
when Thais – who are cultur- the pandemic, when it grew by for high-end victuals to grow.
ally attuned to be kind to ani- an “unbelievable” 13 per cent. Currently, the premium/super-
mals by virtue of their Buddhist Economy brands drove sales in premium brands capture 20 to
upbringing – learned about the the budget-sensitive market, fol- 25 per cent of the Thai pet food
pets-turned-strays on social me- lowed by premium brands. The business. “Pet parents care more
dia and moved to help find new super-premium segment – which about what they feed their pet
homes for the animals and pro- includes prescription diets and and [are] willing to do more re-
vide support for shelters. “Thai breed-specific nutrition – had the search, pay more and acquire
people can’t resist this kind of smallest share of the pie, the PIA the proper selection based on
news,” he observed. official said. their pet,” Varittha Siwawej said.
Likewise, FIT disclosed that in-
Cat adoptions on the rise Focus on dry food ternational and imported brands
Another challenge that some Kibbles are outselling wet food. are seen as better options. “Pre-
industry players have raised is According to FIT, 80 per cent of mium pet food has been in high
a slowdown in dog adoptions. the dog food sold is dry, while wet focus. Just like human food, pet
They noted that while more dogs products make up 15 per cent. owners seek pet food made from
continue to be taken in, the rate “Pet owners prefer dry food (for natural raw materials and ingre-
at which this is happening is both dogs and cats) to wet food dients with no chemicals or arti-
now outpaced by cat adoptions. because it is convenient, lasts ficial substances,” it stated. Be-
In terms of headcount, however, longer and is more economical,” cause of this, premium brands
canines still overwhelmingly out- it explained. In terms of sourcing, have more flexibility in their pric-
number felines. Varittha Siwawej local players control 95 per cent ing, the trade promotions agency
puts the total pet cat population of the market, the FIT study noted, added. “Pet owners are willing Mongkol Maenmalai, director of
in Thailand at 3.5 million as of with imported pet food settling for to buy high-quality products re- the Petfood Industry Association
last year. This means that for a five per cent share. gardless of price.” n (PIA) of Thailand, said pet food
broke forecasts during the pan­
every tabby that is taken in, at The dominance of locally manu- demic, when sales grew by an
least two pooches are welcomed factured pet sustenance is not sur- “unbelievable” 13 per cent.

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