DITP Targets US Pet Food Sales Amidst Growing Pet Humanization Trend

MGR Online•Economy•24d ago

Reader Briefing

US pet food market shows strong growth potential driven by pet humanization, creating opportunities for Thai exporters.

•The US pet food market is experiencing continuous growth, projected to reach $165 billion in 2026 and $197.9 billion by 2030.
•Pet humanization, where pets are treated as family members, is a key driver fueling demand.
•Thai exporters are encouraged to focus on quality, compliance with US FDA regulations, and value for money to capture market share.
•Millennials and Gen X are identified as key consumer demographics in the growing pet care sector.

Overview

•The US pet food and treat market reached a total value of $158 billion in 2025, with a 3.7% growth rate from the previous year.
•Pet food and treats constitute the largest segment of the US pet industry, accounting for 43.2% of the total market value, approximately $68.3 billion, with a 3% increase.
•The American Pet Products Association (APPA) forecasts the US pet industry market value to grow to $165 billion in 2026 and $197.9 billion by 2030.
•The primary driver for market growth is the consumer behavior of prioritizing pets as family members, with 71% of US households owning pets.
•Spending on pets averaged $773 per year, a 2.9% increase, with Gen Z and Millennials indicating economic conditions do not impact their pet ownership.
•DITP Director-General N.S. Sunantha Kangvalkulroj highlighted the stability and high potential of the US pet food market.
•Thai exporters are advised by DITP to produce high-quality, standardized products to increase sales opportunities in the US market.
•Thai exporters should focus on developing products meeting basic needs and understanding evolving consumer behavior, particularly targeting Gen X and adjusting pricing for value.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on MGR Online (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: MGR Online (Original)

View Original Article

Key Quotes

N.S. Sunantha Kangvalkulroj

"The US pet food and treat market remains stable and has high potential and long-term growth. Pet Humanization is still the main driver of the market. Consumers continue to regard pets as family members."

ตลาดอาหารสัตว์เลี้ยงและขนมสัตว์เลี้ยงในสหรัฐฯ ยังคงเป็นตลาดที่มีความมั่นคงและมีศักยภาพสูงและการเติบโตในระยะยาว Pet Humanization ยังเป็นแรงขับหลักของตลาด ผู้บริโภคยังคงให้ความสำคัญกับสัตว์เลี้ยงเหมือนสมาชิกครอบครัว

N.S. Sunantha Kangvalkulroj

"Studying and complying with US Food and Drugs Administration (U.S. FDA) regulations will allow Thai pet food products to penetrate the US market more."

การศึกษาและปฏิบัติตามระเบียบข้อบังคับของ US Food and Drugs Administration (U.S. FDA) จะทำให้สินค้าอาหารสัตว์เลี้ยงของไทยเจาะเข้าสู่ตลาดสหรัฐฯ ได้เพิ่มขึ้น

Key Entities

Organization

Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP)(กรมส่งเสริมการค้าระหว่างประเทศ (DITP))ℹ️

A Thai government organization that surveyed the US pet food market and provided recommendations for Thai exporters.

Office of Trade Promotion, Chicago, USA(สำนักงานส่งเสริมการค้าในต่างประเทศ ณ นครชิคาโก)

The office that conducted the survey on the US pet food and treat market and reported its findings.

American Pet Products Association (APPA)ℹ️

An association that provides industry reports, including the '2026 State of the Industry' report, on the US pet market.

Person

N.S. Sunantha Kangvalkulroj(น.ส.สุนันทา กังวาลกุลกิจ)

Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) who provided insights and recommendations regarding the US pet food market.

Mrs. Supaje Thamthamaphorn(นางศุภจี สุธรรมพันธุ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, whose policy directed trade envoys to survey foreign markets.

Ms. Piyachart Pimjantuk(นางสาวปิยะฉัตร พิมจันทึก)

Director of the Office of Trade Promotion, Chicago, USA, who submitted the report on the US pet food and treat market.

Place

United States of America(สหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

The target market for Thai pet food exports, where pet ownership is high and spending is significant.

Report

2026 State of the Industry

A report by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) detailing the US pet industry's status and projections.

Demographic Group

Gen Xℹ️

A demographic group aged 46-61 identified as having the highest growth rate in pet ownership in the US.

Gen Y (Millennials)ℹ️

A demographic group aged 30-45 identified as a primary customer base and whose spending is less affected by economic conditions.

Gen Zℹ️

A demographic group aged 14-29 showing gradual growth in pet ownership and stating that economic conditions do not impact their pet care.

Baby Boomersℹ️

A demographic group aged 62-80 whose proportion among pet owners is decreasing.

Law

US Food and Drugs Administration (U.S. FDA)ℹ️

The regulatory body whose rules and regulations Thai pet food products must comply with to enter the US market.