A packed-room of Petfood Forum China attendees learned that online sales will account for 25% of China’s world-leading U.S.$5.69 trillion retail market by 2020 according to Melody Shu, global pet category leader from Tmall Global. Shu was one of many experts who presented at Petfood Forum China 2019, held August 20 in Shanghai.
On one of the country’s leading e-commerce platforms, Tmall Global, the pet category is the fastest growing with pet care sales (including pet food) rising 188% since 2016, shared Shu. Additionally, conference speaker Jerel Kwek, CEO of Addition Pet Foods, stated that sales of grain-free pet food in China grew 173% from 2016 to 2018, with the number of pet owners buying it increasing 158%.
“According to the data presented at Petfood Forum China, it is evident that pet owners are paying more attention to the ingredients and formulations of the pet foods they buy,” said Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry.
Petfood Forum China provided valuable networking for pet food professionals from China and Southeast Asia as well other regions of the world. Attendees were also able to interact with conference sponsors including AFB International, Alltech, CMP Wolverine Proctor, Darling Ingredients,/Sonac, DSM, Extru-Tech, Inc., FONA International, Pouch Partners, Reading Bakery Systems, Schenck Process and Wenger.
Petfood Forum China was held in conjunction with Pet Fair Asia 2019, one of the largest pet trade shows in China. The annual educational and networking conference will take place again in August 2020.
