Market Trends of south america pet diet Industry
Brazil accounted for the largest cat population in the region due to their advantages of adaptability to smaller living spaces and lower maintenance
- The pet cat population in South America has been steadily growing, increasing by 13.3% between 2019 and 2022. This upward trend can be attributed to the higher adoption rates of cats as companions during the extended periods of home confinement brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the countries in the region, Brazil holds the largest cat population, accounting for about 55.5% of the total cat population as of 2022. In South America, cats comprised 19.3% of the overall pet population in 2022. This relatively lower proportion of cats can be attributed to cultural perceptions wherein dogs are considered more practical and valued pets. The number of cats represents only 50.0% of the total dog population in the region.
- The adaptability of cats to smaller living spaces without feeling confined, coupled with their lower maintenance costs compared to dogs, contributed to an increasing preference for cat ownership. This trend has led to a significant rise in the pet cat population across the region. In Brazil alone, as of 2020, about 14.3 million households owned cats as pets. In Argentina, the rate of cat ownership was even higher, with 31.4% of households, which is 4.6 million households with cats as pets.
- An important emerging trend in the region is the establishment of cat cafes. As of 2021, there were around 20 cat cafes in Brazil, providing customers with a unique opportunity to enjoy a drink while interacting with cats in a comfortable setting. This growing trend of cat cafes, coupled with the cat's ability to adapt to smaller living spaces, has the potential to further enhance the adoption of cats as popular pets in the region.
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Higher consumption of premium pet veterinary diets and growing pet humanization have increased pet expenditure
- Pet expenditure in South America has shown consistent growth, with an increase of about 18.1% between 2019 and 2022. This upward trend can be attributed to the rising number of pet owners across the region. In Brazil, the number of households owning a pet grew in the same period, registering a CAGR of 1.3%. In Argentina, pet ownership increased, registering a CAGR of 1.4% between 2016 and 2020.
- Pet owners in the region are increasingly focused on pet humanization, with higher-income individuals driving sales growth by opting for products made with natural ingredients, driving pet product premiumization. The expenditure on pet veterinary diets accounted for about 15.7% of the total pet expenditure per pet in 2022. The pet nutraceutical expenditure per pet in the country increased from USD 158.4 in 2017 to USD 200.2 in 2022. From 2017 to 2022, the number of pet owners spending on pet veterinary diets increased by about 39.6% for dogs, 18.7% for cats, and 14.7% for other pet animals annually. Among South American countries, Brazil had the highest pet expenditure per animal, reaching USD 88.4, followed closely by Argentina at USD 65.1 in 2022. This higher pet expenditure in Brazil is mainly due to the country's increased spending on pet health.
- Among distribution channels, offline retail channels such as pet shops, vet clinics, and supermarkets are the preferred distribution channels for pet veterinary diet products in the region. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of e-commerce for pet veterinary diets increased.
- The higher consumption of premium pet veterinary diets and growing pet humanization are anticipated to drive pet expenditure in the region during the forecast period.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Dogs are the most popular and valued pets in South America, accounting for 29.8% of the total population
- Brazil had a major population of other pets, including birds, ornamental fish, and mammals, due to the presence of a unique ecosystem
