Thailand Targets Global Pet Hub Status as Pet Food Exports Reach $3.28 Billion

 

Rising global demand and supply chain strengths bolster Thailand’s push to become the world’s leading exporter of premium pet nutrition.

 

Thailand is accelerating its ambition to become the world’s leading exporter of dog and cat food, backed by robust international trade figures and solidifying its position as the global pet industry’s second-largest supplier.

 

According to the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, Thai pet food exports exceeded USD 3.28 billion (THB 111 billion) in 2025, representing an 8.15 per cent year-on-year increase.

 

The figures highlight Thailand’s expanding footprint in the global pet care ecosystem, driven by surging international demand for specialised nutrition, high-protein formulations, and premium private-label manufacturing.

 

Dog and cat food continue to anchor the sector, accounting for nearly 88 per cent of total shipments. The expansion has been propelled by double-digit export growth in key developed and emerging markets, including Western Europe, Australasia, and Asia-Pacific trade corridors.

 

 

Analysts attribute this momentum to the global "pet humanisation" trend—where owners increasingly treat companion animals as family members—creating sustained demand for functional, health-focused, and sustainable pet care products.

 

Delivering the opening address at the fifth edition of Pet Fair South East Asia 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) on Wednesday (October 28), Surinthorn Sunthornsanan, Deputy Director-General of the DITP, highlighted how shifting consumer habits are reshaping the industrial landscape.

 

 

 

"In recent years, the global pet industry has experienced tremendous growth, driven by increasing demand for premium pet food, wellness products, and specialised services—a trend widely known as pet humanisation," Surinthorn stated. "In 2025, our pet food exports exceeded USD 3.28 billion, an impressive 8.15 per cent growth on the previous year. This remarkable achievement speaks to the strength, excellence, and adaptability of our industry."

 

Surinthorn reaffirmed the Thai government's commitment to supporting domestic enterprises, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by deploying free trade agreements (FTAs), offering on-site advisory services, and leading trade delegations abroad to connect local manufacturers with global markets.

 

Thailand’s robust agricultural supply chain, advanced processing technology, and strict international quality standards have enabled domestic manufacturers to capture roughly 10 per cent of total global pet food exports.

 

 

To capitalise on this competitive advantage, industry stakeholders are increasingly focusing on higher-value contract manufacturing, brand development, and sustainable packaging solutions.

 

Organised jointly by VNU Asia Pacific and Globus Events Limited, the three-day B2B trade exhibition serves as a critical business gateway, connecting manufacturers, exporters, brand owners, distributors, and buyers across the complete supply chain.

 

The 2026 event brings together 450 exhibiting companies from 35 countries, with international participants comprising 70 per cent of the exhibition floor.

 

 

 

 

Organisers expect to welcome more than 12,500 trade professionals from over 80 nations across three days, building upon the previous edition’s attendance of 11,169 visitors.

 

Beyond driving international trade, the event serves as a substantial economic catalyst for Thailand's domestic hospitality and business travel sectors.

 

Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee, Chief Executive Officer of VNU Asia Pacific, revealed that the exhibition is projected to generate roughly THB 580 million (USD 17.1 million) in direct economic impact, including THB 300 million (USD 8.87 million) in visitor travel expenditure while supporting around 300 local jobs.

 

 

Duangdej also emphasised a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, detailing eco-conscious event measures such as recycled carpeting, reduced single-use plastics, digital ticketing, and converting suitable event waste into alternative fuel rather than sending it to landfill.

 

"For us, a successful show creates business opportunities while leaving a positive impact on both the community and the environment," he noted.

 

 

 

The exposition encompasses the full spectrum of the pet industry, ranging from ingredients, nutrition, and hygiene products to automated processing machinery, packaging systems, and OEM services.

 

Technical knowledge exchange remains central to the summit, featuring a comprehensive conference programme that includes the Petfood Extrusion & Nutrition Conference and the Pet Innovators Pitch platform, designed to explore technological advancements and investment trends shaping global pet care.

 

The expanding network of regional trade events also highlights deepening economic links within Asia.

 

 

David Zhong, founder and president of Globus Events Limited and Pet Fair Asia Limited, pointed to the growing integration between regional markets since the network launched in 1997.

 

He noted that the recent Pet Fair Asia in Shanghai, which drew over 2,600 exhibitors and 130,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries, featured a dedicated Thailand Pavilion and recorded its highest number of international attendees from Thailand.

 

"Asia, with its dynamic market, manufacturing strength, and energy, will play an increasingly important role in the industry's next chapter," Zhong remarked.

 

He added that regional research initiatives led by the Asian Pet Alliance (APA) Research Institute would soon release English-language market reports to assist international executives in navigating emerging regional opportunities.

 

 

Supporting Thailand’s broader MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) sector, Kanokporn Damrongkul, director of the Exhibitions Department at the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), highlighted the structural importance of trade platforms to the national economy.

 

"Within our national agriculture, pet food manufacturing has become a standout performer," Kanokporn noted. "International trade exhibitions are far more than product displays; they are catalysts for knowledge exchange, cross-border partnerships, and economic value creation. The continued participation of international exhibitors and buyers reflects deep confidence in Thailand as a premier destination for business collaboration."

 

As global pet ownership continues to expand and premiumisation drives consumer spending, Thailand’s integration of high-value manufacturing, raw material resilience, and international trade infrastructure positions the Southeast Asian nation to capture a larger share of the multi-billion-dollar global pet care market.