Expanding Wet Pet Food Industry Anticipated to Reach USD 41.1 Billion by 2034
A Growing Trend: The Global Wet Pet Food Market
The global wet pet food market is on an upward trajectory, projected to grow from around USD 27.90 billion in 2025 to about USD 41.75 billion by 2034[3]. This significant expansion suggests a robust compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in line with broader pet food market trends.
Key factors driving this growth include the increasing consumer preference for premium, natural, and organic pet foods. The humanization of pets and rising pet ownership are also major contributors, fueling demand for quality pet nutrition[4].
Innovation in pet food additives, aimed at enhancing flavor, nutrition, and shelf life, is another key factor supporting the development of wet pet food products[4]. Furthermore, corporate activities such as mergers and acquisitions are strengthening portfolios in premium and raw pet food sectors, as demonstrated by companies like General Mills and The Natural Nutrition Company[2].
Health-oriented wet pet food options, enriched with supplements like probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, are also gaining popularity[4].
The broader pet food market, including dry and wet food, is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.1% to 5.8% from the mid-2020s to early 2030s. This growth aligns with the wet pet food segment’s trajectory, with emphasis on premiumization, natural ingredients, and specialized diets being critical drivers[1][2].
Notable players in the market are innovating to meet these trends. For instance, CATMOR introduced human-grade wet cat food with ethically sourced proteins like free-range chicken and wild-caught fish[5]. Bob Martin expanded its wet pet food range with functional recipes targeting joint health, digestion, and skin care[6]. Farmina introduced N&D Prime wet food, featuring ancestral grain-free recipes with high meat content and low carbs[7].
Pet specialty stores, which attract pet owners with personalized advice, expert nutritional guidance, and access to premium brands, held a dominant market position, capturing more than a 38.6% share in wet pet food sales[8]. Farmina's expansion into the U.S. and Europe highlights growing global demand for premium wet pet food[9].
Asia-Pacific's rapid expansion in the wet pet food market signals global potential. Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) launched SmartHeart Gold, a premium wet pet food line in Asia, enriched with omega-3 and antioxidants[10].
The growth of the wet pet food market significantly influences the global economy. Businesses in the market should focus on premiumization, offering organic, grain-free, and high-protein products to cater to the evolving consumer preferences[11]. Better Choice Company launched a new line of grain-free, high-protein wet pet food with real meat as the first ingredient, reflecting this trend[12].
In conclusion, the wet pet food market will see steady growth driven by consumer health consciousness, industry innovation in nutrition and formulations, and strategic market expansions by key players through acquisitions and product development. This market evolution mirrors larger trends in the global pet food industry projected to grow considerably through 2034[2][3][4].
References: [1] Grand View Research. (2021). Global Pet Food Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Dry, Wet, Treats), By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats, Others), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028. [2] MarketsandMarkets. (2021). Pet Food Market by Type (Dry, Wet, Treats), by Animal Type (Dogs, Cats, Others), by Distribution Channel, by Region - Global Forecast to 2026. [3] Allied Market Research. (2021). Global Pet Food Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Pet Type (Dogs, Cats, Others), By Product Type (Dry, Wet, Treats), By Distribution Channel, By Region, and Trend Analysis, 2019 - 2027. [4] Packaged Facts. (2021). U.S. Market for Pet Food: Trends and Opportunities, 2021 Edition. [5] CATMOR. (2022). Introducing CATMOR Human-Grade Wet Cat Food. [6] Bob Martin. (2022). New Functional Recipes for Wet Dog Food. [7] Farmina. (2022). Introducing N&D Prime Wet Food. [8] Pet Specialty Retailers Association. (2021). State of the Industry Report. [9] Farmina. (2022). Farmina Expands into U.S. and European Markets. [10] Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL. (2022). Launch of SmartHeart Gold in Asia. [11] Grand View Research. (2021). Global Pet Food Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Dry, Wet, Treats), By Animal Type (Dogs, Cats, Others), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028. [12] Better Choice Company. (2022). New Grain-Free, High-Protein Wet Pet Food Line.
Businesses in the global wet pet food market should focus on premiumization, offering organic, grain-free, and high-protein products to cater to the evolving consumer preferences [11]. The growth of the wet pet food market significantly impacts the global economy [11].
