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Consumer Trends
Pet Food in France
France has the largest pet population in Europe, with Executive Summary 2
7.5 million dogs, 11.5 million cats, 7 million birds, 2 million
rodents and a remarkable 27 million fish. The French are
simply animal lovers, with 53% of households having at least Market Overview 3
one pet.
Pet Food Trends 4
More than half of French households have a dog, cat, fish or
rodent. Approximately one fourth of households have a dog
and 28% have a cat, though the cat population is higher Retail Trends 5
(11.5 million cats compared to 7.5 million dogs) because
people often have several cats. Industry Competition 6
Source: Shutterstock
PAGE 2
MARKET OVERVIEW
PAGE 3
PET FOOD TRENDS
Humanization
The "humanization" of pets is a continuing trend in France and elsewhere, whereby pets
(particularly dogs and cats) are increasingly cared for according to human patterns, and human aesthetic
standards are applied to pets. Pets are increasingly regarded as family members, and are often considered
as equivalent to children in the level of attention and care they gain from pet owners. This has led to a
heightened awareness of the special health needs associated with pets at different developmental stages,
and an increased tendency to pamper pets with treats and high-end nutritional food.
Functional Flavour
Pet owners are looking for their pets to thrive and are willing to try new products, whether it’s vegetarian,
high protein or loaded with antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, in order to achieve this. The French pet
owner is looking for functional formulations that will result in fewer digestive issues, more energy,
a shinier coat or any other number of benefits that pet foods claim.
New ingredients like fruits and vegetables in pet food are correlating with human health trends. As pets live
longer and experience conditions like diabetes, obesity or allergies, a variety of pet food ingredients are
being used to target these health needs.
New Proteins
Allergic and picky eaters are pushing the protein selection in pet food from the
typical chicken or beef, to something a bit more exciting. Exotic new proteins
are being introduced to appeal to pets’ taste buds and also to increase their
overall well-being. For example, manufacturers now offer dry and dehydrated
pet foods with venison, pork, brushtail possum and kangaroo meats,
often mixed with fruits such as apples, berries and even figs. If a pet has a food
allergy to proteins, putting them on an exclusion diet with a new protein can
allow the owner to see how their pet responds.
The healthy ingredient trend has also changed the mixture of grains used in pet
foods. Some high-end manufacturers have moved away from using soy, corn,
and wheat, which some veterinarians believe are harder to digest and more
likely to cause allergies, in favour of using rice and other grains.
Functional ingredients like antioxidants, essential fatty acids and even supplements like glucosamine for
joint health are being formulated right into the can. Antioxidant fruits and vegetables are being used in
pet foods to an increasing degree.
Picky Pets
The premium food trend isn’t just for dogs. For example, one manufacturer offers a line of ferret foods that
are grain free and mimic the traditional ferret diet full of taurine, fat, and meat-based protein, but offer
unique flavours such as duck, rabbit and venison.
There is also a growing number of options for vegetarian owners who don’t appreciate giving all-meat foods
to their pets. With dog food products, which use ingredients such as barley, brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal
and kelp, owners can provide adequate protein from vegetable sources.
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RETAIL TRENDS
France’s retail distribution network is diverse and sophisticated. French food retailers
generally fall into six types: hypermarkets; supermarkets; hard discounters; convenience;
gourmet centres in department stores; and traditional outlets.
Grocery retailers such as supermarkets/hypermarkets lead the distribution market in pet food products.
Private label is making inroads within the pet food and pet products industry, and its position is
strengthened by a wider selection that is mainly driven by product improvement. As a result, private label is
gaining brand recognition. Demand for private label is expected to increase, resulting in more brand loyalty
from pet owners.
Pet shops and other non-grocery retailers are more dynamic, as they offer
other pet care products, such as dietary and healthcare. However, the
main strength of non-grocery retailers is a better knowledge of the
products, gained from training provided by manufacturers. Pet owners are
always looking for advice on how to best care for their pets and are thus
drawn to these retailers for the additional information available to them.
As a result, these channels accounted for approximately 44% of value
sales in 2009, giving less room to supermarkets/hypermarkets to lead.
Source: Planet Retail, 2011.
French Pet Food Expenditure in 2010, Major French Food Retailers, 2010
Per Household
PAGE 5
INDUSTRY COMPETITION
The French pet care industry is dominated by multinational companies. Their positions
within pet food are undeniable thanks to strong brand recognition and a presence through
almost all distribution channels. Premiumization is at the core of the business, but the economic situation
has increased further price sensitivity. As a result, private label has started to market its own premium
products. Such a trend has made more room for mid-priced and standard premium products.
France - Pet Food Industry - Brand Shares (by Global Brand Name)
Retail Sales % breakdown
PAGE 6
DOG FOOD
Lifestyle changes in urban areas have led to a decrease in dog ownership. Due to a lack of space in the
house and also in the car, the dog population decreased in 2010 in terms of numbers, with small dogs
being an exception. The lower amount of households owning multiple dogs has also contributed to this
decline for the past few years. Medium and large sized dogs require more attention and time, and they
need more space for transportation. As a result, larger dogs registered the highest decrease in terms
of numbers.
Prepared food increased in 2010 and accounted for 54.1% of total dog food sales. This increase is mainly
driven by high-end products, as dog owners’ willingness to get the best for their dogs strengthened.
Increasingly health-conscious French consumers are demanding organic, health, and diet foods, including
nutraceuticals. The growing number of pets has mirrored and stimulated demand for conventional and
organic pet foods.
As dogs live longer, dog food has become more nutritionally balanced. Dog owners are also looking for
convenience and time saving in terms of meal preparation due to their busy lifestyles. As a result,
manufacturers tend to offer more convenient and sophisticated products through a hyper-segmentation
based on breed specificity, age specificity, and the health and wellness trend.
Increasing environmental concerns amongst consumers in France have been extended to the development
of organic products for pets. Pet food manufacturers now offer more functional products that promise longer
life or that prevent functional disorders, such as urine problems.
PAGE 7
DOG FOOD (Continued)
PAGE 8
DOG FOOD (Continued)
PAGE 9
DOG FOOD (Continued)
CAT FOOD
French cat owners pay more attention to their cat by purchasing cat
treats such as treats with dental care benefits. Although a niche Source: Shutterstock.
market, organic food and medicinal treats are among the growth
drivers in the cat food category.
Cat owners are still demanding more convenience and time saving in terms of meal preparation.
PAGE 10
CAT FOOD (Continued)
PAGE 11
CAT FOOD (Continued)
Nestlé Purina Petcare France SAS was far ahead in 2009, with a
market share of 38.7%, while Mars Petcare & Food France held
only 28.5%.
Private label was fiercely competitive with better diversification of its Source: Shutterstock.
range. As a result, private label now controls a 17% value share.
PAGE 12
CAT FOOD (Continued)
The quest to own original and attractive pets such as lizards, dwarf rabbits, exotic fish or birds is becoming
an entrenched trend in France. Furthermore, children are looking for new companions to look after,
increasing the attraction of pet ownership in this category.
The lack of space in urban cities and busy lifestyles, the quest for more convenience and time savings,
makes animals in this category of pets attractive, because they are easy to look after. As a result,
small mammals and reptile food will experience a positive growth in the coming years.
The bird population is expected to decline in reaction to strong health-related regulations affecting
imported birds. This regulation is designed to control the transmission of diseases such as avian flu,
as well as protect against dangerous species and illegal importations through the internet.
PAGE 13
OTHER PET FOOD (Continued)
France - Forecast Sales of Other Pet Food by Type: Value in US$ millions
Product 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Bird Food 100 97 94 91 88
Fish Food 93 94 95 95 96
Small Mammal/Reptile Food 279 290 302 315 329
Other Pet Food 473 481 491 502 513
Source: Euromonitor, 2011.
Source: Shutterstock.
PAGE 14
OTHER PET FOOD (Continued)
PAGE 15
NEW PET FOOD PRODUCTS
From January 2009 to December 2010, a total of 87 new dog and cat food products were
introduced into the market, of which 15 were private label food products. A breakdown of
new product launches by sub-category illustrates that wet cat food had the most launches with 23, followed
by dry dog food with 18 new product introductions.
Types of New Dog and Cat Food Products Entering the New Products Entering the French Retail Market,
French Retail Market in 2009-2010 January-May 2011
Number of Number of
Sub-Category Brand Type Sub-Category Brand Type
Variants Variants
The following are some examples of new products introduced to the French market in 2011.
Product Description
Marque Repère Lydog Aliment Complet pour Chiens (complete dog food) is a
light dog kibble with poultry, carrots and rice. This dog food is specially
formulated to help maintain an ideal weight. It contains 20% less fat than
Lydog Vitalité and is higher in protein. The product retails in a 4 kg pack.
Ingredients On Pack
Cereals (rice (1% minimum in the rice biscuits)), meat products, animal products
(poultry (4% minimum in the poultry biscuits)), vegetable origin products,
vegetable protein extracts, mineral substances, oils and fats, carrots
(4% minimum), additives (preservatives, colorants, antioxidants).
Company: Scamark
Brand: Marque Repère Lydog (Private Label)
Store Name: E.Leclerc
Date Published: June 2011
Pack Size: 4 kg / 8.82 lb
Price in local currency: € 4.91
Price in USD: $6.87
Source: Mintel, 2011.
PAGE 16
NEW PET FOOD PRODUCTS (Continued)
Product Description
Auchan Croquettes Fourrées au Boeuf, aux Carottes & aux Légumes Verts (kibble filled
with Beef, Carrots & Green Vegetables) are said to provide a complete nutrition for adult cats. They are
formulated with Opti Digest which is a mix of fermentable and non-fermentable fibres that contribute to a
better digestive transit and a healthy intestinal flora. The fibres are from vegetable origin such as
wholegrain wheat, wheat bran and corn. The product retails in a 2 kg re-sealable pack.
Ingredients on Pack
Cereals, meat and animal products (beef minimum 4% in the red biscuits, meat
minimum 4% in the filled biscuits), oils and fats, vegetable origin products, mineral
substances, vegetables (green vegetables 4% minimum in the green biscuits,
carrots 4% minimum in the orange biscuits), vegetable protein extracts, additives
(preservatives, antioxidants, colourants).
Company: Auchan
Brand: Auchan (Private Label)
Store Name: Auchan
Date Published: June 2011
Pack Size: 2 kg / 4.41 lb
Price in local currency: €2.79
Price in USD: $3.85
Product Description
Canaillou Milky Boisson Lactée pour Chat & Chaton (milk for kittens and cats) is suitable for feline pets
aged six weeks and above. The product features a low lactose content and is enriched with
vitamins D3 and E, and taurine. It is said to be easier to digest than regular milk and retails in a
600 ml partially recyclable pack containing three, 200 ml bottles.
Ingredients on Pack
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secondary sources of information. Although every effort has been made to
ensure that the information is accurate, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
assumes no liability for any actions taken based on the information
contained herein.
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