Thai Pet Food Exports Surge on Premium Health Trend

In the first five months of 2025, Thailand exported pet food valued at 1.425 billion US dollars (44.847 billion baht), up 5.15 percent year-on-year. The United States remains Thailand's largest export market, accounting for 30.22 percent of total pet food exports at 430.84 million dollars, followed by Japan (157.85 million dollars, 11.07 percent), Australia (76.55 million dollars, 5.37 percent), Italy (72.63 million dollars, 5.09 percent), and Germany (65.72 million dollars, 4.61 percent). For the full year 2024, Thailand exported pet food worth 3.276 billion dollars (107.47 billion baht), up 8.15 percent from 2023, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest pet food exporter with a 10.2 percent global market share, behind Germany at 12.1 percent.

Rapidly growing markets in the first five months include France (up 101.46 percent), New Zealand (36.69 percent), the United Kingdom (36.01 percent), Germany (32.25 percent), Australia (25.71 percent), India (19.08 percent), Japan (12.14 percent), and Malaysia (9.12 percent), indicating opportunities in both high-income and rising purchasing-power Asian markets. Nanthapong noted that the key global market trend is "healthy pet–affordable premium" products, where consumers seek high-quality, health-beneficial pet food but also prioritize value, affordability, and clear nutritional benefits amid rising living costs. This presents opportunities for Thai manufacturers to develop premium pet food at accessible prices using Thailand's strengths in raw materials, processing expertise, food safety standards, and market-responsive production. Growth opportunities exist in high-protein formulas, vitamin and mineral supplements, immunity-boosting products, digestive-friendly food, senior pet nutrition, cat-specific formulas, and natural or health-claim products, requiring investment in R&D and supply chain verification.