The European pet market continues to be an important economic sector and remains a major pillar of pet ownership and care. According to the latest report from FEDIAF (“Fédération Européenne de l’Industrie des Aliments pour Animaux Familiers”, European Pet Food Industry Federation), there were around 352 million pets living in Europe in 2022. The increasing number of pets illustrates the growing importance of pets as part of many people’s everyday lives.
With 129 million cats, this species continues to be the most common pet in Europe, followed by 106 million dogs. The number of ornamental birds is 52 million, while 30 million small mammals, 23 million aquariums and 12 million terrariums were counted. These figures demonstrate the diversity and importance of pets in society.
The distribution of pets varies greatly from country to country. While cats dominate in Germany with a share of almost 50% of pet owners, dogs are the most common in France with around 38%. In Eastern European countries such as Romania and Poland, the overall pet ownership rate is particularly high, which is also due to a more rural lifestyle. Scandinavian countries, on the other hand, have a more moderate pet ownership rate, with sustainable and species-appropriate pet ownership concepts gaining in importance there.
The European pet food market recorded an annual turnover of 29.2 billion euros in 2022. In addition to the production of pet food, this industry also includes services and the sale of accessories. Over 283,000 people in Europe are directly employed in this sector, while indirect employment, for example through veterinarians, trainers and grooming services, is estimated at a further 2.3 million workers.
The premium and specialty food segment in particular is growing continuously, as pet owners are increasingly looking for high-quality and healthy nutritional options for their pets. The area of sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging is also gaining in importance, which is becoming an increasingly relevant factor for pet food manufacturers in particular.
Pet ownership is widespread in Europe: 166 million households own at least one pet. It is particularly striking that 27% of all households have at least one dog, while 25% have at least one cat. In some countries, such as Romania or Poland, the pet ownership rate is significantly higher than the European average. This illustrates that in many regions of Europe, pets are not only seen as companions, but also as an important part of family and social life.
FEDIAF collects its data in collaboration with 30 national associations and an external consultant (Soulor Consulting) to ensure the most accurate representation of the pet population. However, due to methodological adjustments, FEDIAF recommends not comparing the current data directly with previous years’ figures. This should allow for more stable and accurate data collection in the future.
Developments in the pet sector show that pets are playing an increasingly important role in society and the economy. The demand for high-quality pet food and sustainable products is growing continuously. In Western Europe in particular, there is a growing awareness of animal-friendly keeping and healthy nutrition. The industry will continue to evolve in the coming years to meet the needs of pets and their owners.
The future of the pet market remains exciting and holds both economic opportunities and challenges in terms of sustainability and animal welfare.
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