DITP Highlights Explosive Growth of Pet Market in China, Emphasizes Quality Standards

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is advising entrepreneurs to penetrate China's rapidly expanding pet market, highlighting that Thai products with high quality and standards have significant potential. Sunanta Kangwalkulkit, DITP Director-General, revealed that the department has instructed commercial attachés in various countries to survey trade opportunities for Thai exports. A recent report from Niti Patumwong, director of the overseas trade promotion office in Nanning, China, detailed the pet market survey, including export opportunities for Thai pet products to meet growing Chinese demand. The survey found that in the recent year, China has over 140 million pets (dogs and cats), with a pet industry value exceeding 811,400 million yuan. Pet food dominates the market at 52.2%, followed by pet medical services at 28.5%, daily pet products at 12.5%, and pet services at 6.8%. The Chinese pet industry has shown significant growth, evolving from contract manufacturing to creating its own brands and innovations. Four key trends have emerged: 1) Pet food becoming branded, 2) Pet products moving towards smart technology, 3) Industry cluster development, and 4) Local brands expanding to international markets. Sunanta emphasized that while the Chinese pet market is valuable and growing rapidly, it faces challenges such as mid to low-level product focus, limited technology investment, and lack of specialized personnel. She recommends that Thai exporters focus on quality, innovation, and meeting Chinese market standards to compete sustainably.