ZMUni Compliance Centre

Pet Economy Boom in China

In recent years, China's "pet economy" has seen rapid growth, fueled by expanding consumer demand and investment.

According to the 2023-2024 China Pet Industry White Paper, the number of pet dogs reached 51.75 million in 2023, up 1.1% from 2022, while pet cats grew to 69.8 million, a 6.8% increase. This steady rise in pet ownership reflects the growing potential of China’s pet market, offering significant opportunities for future growth.

Table 1: Changes in Dog and Cat Populations from 2020 to 2023

The White Paper also reveals that in 2023, China's urban pet (only refers to dog and cat, same as follows) consumption market reached 279.3 billion RMB, with projections to grow to 361.3 billion RMB by 2026. Pet food remains the largest segment, accounting for 52.3% of the market share in 2023. Since 2018, it has consistently made up more than half of the pet market, with an annual growth rate of 16% over the past five years. Pet food is expected to continue leading the industry and remain its biggest sector moving forward.

Table 2: Urban Pet Consumption Market Scale from 2018 to 2023

Trends in Imported Pet Food in China

Imported pet food (excluding pet treats) must be registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) in China. Based on MARA announcements from 2017 to the first half of 2024, a total of 2,983 pet food products (including single feed and feed additives) have been approved for registration in China.

 Table 3: Number of Pet Food Products from 2017 to 2024 H1

Despite the pandemic, the number of pet food certifications approved by China MARA has been steadily rising. This reflects the growing demand in the Chinese pet market, with more products entering China to meet consumer needs. Major suppliers include the U.S., the EU, New Zealand, Thailand, and Canada.

Currently, China’s imported pet food market is dominated by three global giants: Mars, Nestlé Purina, and Royal Canin. The market is projected to grow rapidly over the next 5-10 years, with an annual growth rate exceeding 50%. At the same time, China pet food brands are gaining momentum, expanding their product offerings. The top 10 domestic brands increased their market share from 7.6% in 2014 to 12.9% in 2023.

Overall, competition between imported and domestic pet food brands is intensifying, and the market is expected to remain dynamic with promising growth prospects in the coming years.

Compliance Guide for Exporting Pet Food to China

Successfully entering the Chinese market with pet food is not an easy task. China has established a series of laws, regulations, and relevant standards concerning pet food imports. Below is an overview of the key market access requirements.

| What is Pet Food refers to in China?

According to the Regulations on the Administration of Pet Feed, pet feed refers to industrially processed products intended for direct consumption by pets, commonly known as pet food. Pet food is primarily categorized into three types: complete pet feed, pet additive premixed feed, and other pet feed.

Table 4: Category of Pet Food

| Procedure for Exporting Pet Food to China

Table 5: Procedure for Exporting Pet Food to China

| Compliance Points to Note for Exporting Pet Food to China

1. Two Essential Qualifications for Exporting Pet Food

1.1 Customs Administration Requirements: a) Country Access and b) Approved Enterprise White List (excluding pet treats)

a) Country Access: Before exporting pet food to China, check whether the country of origin and the pet food are listed in the List of Countries (Regions) and Products Allowed for Importing Feed published by China GACC (excluding plant-based feed materials). As of August 9, 2024, feed from 60 countries and regions is allowed to enter China, including pet food from 22 of these countries and regions.

Table 6: List of Countries (Regions) Allowed to Export Feed (Excluding Plant-Based Feed Materials)

b) Enterprise Access: According to the Administrative Measures for Inspection and Quarantine Supervision of Import and Export Feed and Feed Additives,China GACC implements a registration system for manufacturers in countries or regions allowed to export feed to China. Imported feed in China must come from overseas manufactures that are registered with the GACC. Before exporting pet food, manufactures need to check whether themselves are listed in the List of Overseas Registered Pet Food Manufactures. Enterprises should also clearly identify the types of products and ingredients they are authorized to export to China.

According to the List of Overseas Registered Pet Food Manufacturesfrom the GACC, as of August 22, 2024, enterprises from 22 countries and regions have been approved to enter the Chinese market. These countries and regions include Thailand, Taiwan (China), the Philippines, Uzbekistan, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Italy, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Austria, Spain, Poland, Serbia, and Cambodia.

The registration certificate of manufactures is valid for 5 years. Manufactures may apply for an extension 6 months before the expiration date, with each extension being valid for another 5 years.

1.2 China MARA Requirements: Applying for an Import Registration Certificate

According to the Administrative Measures for the Registration of Imported Feed and Feed Additives, overseas pet feed manufactures that export feed and feed additives to China for the first time must apply for an Import Registration Certificate from China MAMR. Products that do not obtain this certificate cannot be sold or used within China. Pet food (excluding pet treats) is classified as feed, which requires an Import Registration Certificate.

The Import Registration Certificate is valid for 5 years. Enterprise must apply for an extension 6 months before the certificate's expiry, if they want to continue exporting feed and feed additives to China.

The table below, compiled by the ZMUni, provides a concise summary of the requirements for exporting pet food to China for quick reference:

Table 7: Qualifications Required for Exporting Pet Food to China

2. Packaging and Labeling Requirements for Imported Pet Food in China

According to relevant announcements by China GACC, pet food exported to China must be packaged using new, clean, and sturdy materials that provide good sealing and moisture resistance to prevent damage.

The packaging of pet food destined for China must also include a label in Chinese, compliant with the Pet Feed Labeling Regulations issued in 2018. The external packaging should clearly indicate:

- The name and registration number of the manufacturers.

- The phrases "Exported to the People's Republic of China" and "Not for Human Consumption" or "For Pet Consumption Only" in Chinese.

China's pet food market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing number of pets and the evolving purchasing habits of pet owners. Looking ahead, the market is expected to continue expanding, with consumption upgrades and health-focused products acting as key drivers for future growth.

Our Services

ZMUni Compliance Centre provides comprehensive compliance support for companies in the pet food/feed industry, including:

• Pet food product review (formulation, labeling, etc.) in China

• Import Registration Certificate application in China

• New feed and feed additive registration services in China

• EU pet food/new feed additive applications

• Pet food import/export customs clearance services

• Customized consulting services related to pet food compliance

If you have any certain needs, feel free to contact us at info@zmuni.com.

Upcoming Webinar

ZMUni will host a free webinar focused on Latest Requirements and Compliance Points on GMO-based Food Ingredients in China at 9:00 PM Beijing Time, Sep 26th, sharing about regulatory updates for GMOs; practical insights for successful exports. If you're in the food industry and looking to expand into the Chinese market, this is a must-attend event, register for free: https://www.zmuni.com/en/event/7653/