#4 | WHATS IN MY BOWL?

PLANT-BASED PET FOOD

Plant-based pet food remains a tiny niche in the overall market, but its potential benefits – revolving around sustainability and pet health – make it an attractive target for innovation. Pet food made with other alternative protein sources, suggests that the sector has the potential to expand beyond its current niche status. SOURCE: MINTEL ® 2023

The global plant-based pet food market is valued at $26 billion and is projected to grow to $57 billion by 2032, according to Euromonitor ® 2023.

Formulating nutritionally complete and tasty pet food with plant-based protein can present more of a challenge than achieving these qualities with meat.

TARGET A NEW GENERATION OF PET OWNERS

Young pet owners are more likely to see the value of plant-based protein in their own diets, making them more likely to consider the same for their pets.

They may find the environmental benefits of plant-based pet food appealing.

But one thing all pet parents seek is a diet their pets enjoy that is designed to keep them healthy.

Interest in plant-based protein in pet food is modest overall, but is stronger among younger pet owners, suggesting the potential for interest to grow over time.

Pet owners aged 18-34 are more likely than their older counterparts to place importance on pet products that address specific health issues. SOURCE: MINTEL ® 2023

PLANT-BASED PROTEINS

As human and pet populations grow, so does the demand for protein.

Many plant-based proteins, such as soybeans, peas, potatoes, wheat and corn, have been widely used in human and animal nutrition.

However, in recent years, additional plant protein ingredients have become increasingly viable options, for pet food products. These include chickpeas, lentils, beans, fava beans, algae and insects, etc.

Consumers also consider sustainability in the foods they eat as important. When shopping for their pet, they also consider aspects such as plant-based ingredients, low carbon footprint, recyclable packaging, and eco-friendly.

Another critical factor is that plant-based dog food is more expensive because it's still a relatively new concept.

That means there are only a few manufacturers who have the skills, equipment and cleaning processes to create meat-free dog food. SOURCE: PET FOOD INDUSTRY MAGAZINE ® 2024

WHAT CAN WE FIND IN THE LATAM MARKET?

In LATAM we can find some products from start-up´s and other imported products in specialized pet stores or with local high-end veterinarians, who understand the health benefits of plant-based pet food, but still, these products remain very niche.


ALL LOVE: Main ingredients: Quinoa, chia, carrot, cereals & chickpea flavored recipe for dogs. BRAZIL	VEGAN CAN: This is formulated to provide a healthy and top-quality diet alternative for our dogs, made with coconut oil, quinoa, maca, spirulina, and yeast. PERU

TAMALITOS DOG: This is a 100% natural frozen complete food. Its formulation includes highly palatable quinoa vegetable protein, fresh vegetables and superfoods such as amaranth, rice, and cassava, as well as a broad profile of vitamins and minerals. MEXICO	BICHO GREEN: This is considered a vegan food for your pet! The composition of the product: ground whole corn, soybean meal, wheat bran, corn gluten meal, soybean oil, and linseed. BRAZIL

I M P O R T E D P R O D U C T S


HALO HOLISTIC: Made with superfoods like oats, peas, chickpeas, cranberry, apple, etc. for better digestion, with prebiotics and vitamins 100% plant-based. USA	V DOG: Made with no animal products or fillers, contains spinach, peas, carrot, cranberry, flax seed and sweet potato added with vitamins. USA	KIND EARTH: Pland based récipe. Whole grains, oats, fava beans, sweet potato, pumpkin, kale and other vitamin supplements. USA