Europe Pet Food Packaging Market (2023 - 2030)

Report Overview

The Europe pet food packaging market size was estimated at USD 3.15 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2030. The factors attributed to driving the demand for pet food packaging are increasing pet ownership in Europe, demand for high-quality nutritious pet food, and increasing expenditure on pets. However, due to poor infrastructure for waste disposable, the majority of packaging waste is sent to landfills causing environmental concerns. Therefore, packaging industries are shifting toward sustainable packaging which in turn increases the overall packaging cost.

Europe is one of the largest markets for the pet food industry, accounting for approximately 30% of the total pet care and pet food sales across the globe. Key factors that can be attributed to the pet food packaging market growth include the humanization of pets and an increase in the demand for premium products, mainly organic, raw, and natural products, depending on the choice of owners. The region witnessed an annual turnover of USD 28.86 billion for pet food products in 2022, with a growth rate of 2.6%. Thus, the rising pet food in Europe is providing an opportunity for packaging material.

According to FEDIAF, around 85 million households in Europe own a pet where 25% of European households own at least a cat and 24 % of them at least own a dog. A 2021 report by FEDIAF suggests that the region is home to 132 pet food manufacturers with more than 200 production plants in Europe, as customized products, comprising those aiming at health benefits continue to be popular and are estimated to witness significant growth in the near future and benefitting packaging market.

Material Insights

Based on material, the plastic segment accounted for 38.6% of the revenue share in the year 2022. Europe pet food packaging is highly dependent on polyethylene due to superior graphics, barrier properties, and durability, followed by the convenience of a resealable opening, plastic packaging offers numerous applications such as recyclable if made with recyclable plastic, and is considered highly effective against environmental factors (air, water, and micro-organisms).

Additionally, the easy availability of polyethylene, along with its affordable price, is anticipated to result in the growth of the polyethylene segment of the pet food packaging material market in Europe over the forecast period. However, increasing awareness among the masses about protecting the environment and maintaining health is expected to act as a key restraint for the growth of this segment of the market.

Product Insights

Based on product, bags & pouches product dominated the market with a 50.6% market share in 2022 owning to their applicability and functionality of offering excellent protection to the packaged goods and products. Plastics are long polymer chains making them durable and extremely difficult to break. The rise in the demand for bags & pouches packaging from the pet food industry to prevent contamination of food is projected to accelerate the growth of the segment over the forecast period.

The bags & pouches are expected to grow at a revenue CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period. The product offers convenience to consumers and occupies less retail space, which drives its popularity as a pet food packaging solution. Also, pouches are an ideal solution for the transportation of products. Being lightweight in nature it reduces the overall cost of shipping.

Rising demand for pet food, on account of the increasing pet population in Europe, is expected to boost the growth of the bags & pouches over the forecast period. Further, the rising demand for bio-based films in pet food packaging, on account of their recyclability and biodegradability, is anticipated to be a major factor augmenting the growth of the segment over the forecast period.

End-Use Insights

Based on End-Use, the market is segmented into dog food, cat food, fish food, and others. The dog food segment accounted for a revenue share of 35.6% in 2022 and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The rising adoption of dogs as companions in houses and military operations in Europe and rising per capita expenditure have driven dog adoption.

Europe is home to 90 million pet dogs. The high per capita expenditure on pet food strengthens the demand in the region. According to the report of the Pet Food Industry, 2021, Norway's population spends USD 639 per year on one dog pet food. Pet owners in Europe spend on premium products and purchase higher-priced organic and "diet" dog foods, which come in costlier meal-size packages instead of larger bags. Thus. The increasing high capita expenditure on pet food is attributed to driving the market of packaging material.

Food Type Insights

Based on Food type, wet food packaging dominates the market and commanded the largest revenue share of 45.5% in the year 2022. Wet food for dogs is available in cans, pouches, and trays in the market. Canned food can be further segmented into the packaging of up to 400 g, 401-800 g, and over 800 g. Wet food is in high demand from consumers focusing on the digestive and gut health of their dogs. It is easier to digest and supports a healthy fluid level in dogs.

Further, its high moisture content helps keep the dog’s urinary tract system healthy and prevents obesity. These health benefits of wet food are likely to drive the segment growth over the forecast period. Pedigree, Cesar, and Little Big Paw are some of the popular manufacturers/brands offering wet food for dogs. Gravy chicken chunks, flavored gravy with chicken and liver chunks, and vegetable gravy with chicken and lamb gravy in jelly are some of the commonly available wet dog foods in the market.

Country Insights

The UK dominates the market of pet food packaging in the year 2022 with a revenue share of 21.1%. The UK has a total population of 9,000,000 and 7,500,000 dogs and cats, respectively, and is one of the prominent markets for pet food packaging in Europe. The humanization of pets is a growing trend in the country, resulting in the production of premium pet food products by manufacturers focusing on the health and wellness of pets. The pet food market in the U.K. is divided into the economy and premium-priced pet food, indicating that quality and price are of utmost importance in the countries. Products in the economy segment are generally marketed by discounters and supermarkets and account for approximately two-thirds of the total sales. The products under the premium division are majorly sold by specialty shops, whereas mid-priced pet food products are available both in specialty shops and in supermarkets. The packaging materials are designed accordingly based on product quality. The demand for mid-sized brands' packaging material is high in the U.K. compared to small-size and premium brands.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The Europe Pet Food Packaging market is highly competitive with the presence of both global and regional companies. Companies operating in Europe's pet food packaging market offer a wide range of plastic packaging, cans, tetra-pack solution that are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Moreover, they offer custom packaging products to suit customer-specific requirements. Some of the prominent players in the Europe pet food packaging market include:

• Berry Global Group, Inc.

• Coveris Holding S.A.

• Sonoco Products Company

• Constantia Flexibles

• Mondi plc

• Huhtamaki OYJ

• Smurfit Kappa

• Ardagh Group S.A

• AptarGroup,Inc

• Goglio S.p.A

Europe Pet Food Packaging Market