Special Report: International Pet Markets

The global pet industry is booming. It reached $261–$355 billion in 2024, with projections to approach $500 billion by 2030. This increase is largely driven by premiumization and rising pet ownership. The US leads with 40 percent of market sales equal to $147 billion. Europe is the second largest market, at roughly $60 billion, led by Germany, the UK, and France. China and Japan represent the fastest-growing regions. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico dominate with combined sales exceeding $2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Intelligence Report.

There are some key trends across the globe. Pet humanization is a widespread phenomenon. There is an increase in spending on premium, organic and personalized food and health services. Spending on pet food was estimated at $133.9 billion in 2023 and has since expanded even more with specialized products. Bloomberg also predicted the global market for preventive-care diagnostics is projected to become $30 billion by 2030.

With the rising tide of pet products, pet parents, and pet budgets, international pet trade shows have become a critical place to connect manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. The shows highlight the latest innovations in pet food, accessories, and services to reach this enormous market. 

World Pet Association (WPA) produces and owns SUPERZOO. The WPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the pet industry, using proceeds from SUPERZOO to fund industry initiatives through its “Good Works” program. This program reinvests event proceeds into the pet industry, which has included animal welfare, industry research, and advocacy efforts. SUPERZOO has donated more than $15 million in the last 15 years to promote the health and wellbeing of pets.

When discussing the global pet market, Mike Karsting, SVP of World Pet Association, reported, “Last year, international buyers made up 10 percent of our B2B audience. SUPERZOO typically hosts nearly 2,000 participants traveling from 84 countries.” 

He continued, “We respect that SUPERZOO is a serious investment for the members of our international community, and we want it to pay off for them. So, we don’t just create an experience that connects them to new products and other pet retailers, but we also make it easy for them to come to Las Vegas for these valuable business opportunities. This year, we’ve introduced an exclusive new program that streamlines the process for international participants. We also simplify travel logistics by supplying invitation letters that international buyers or exhibitors can use for their visa applications.” 

Interzoo is organized by WZF, a 100 percent subsidiary of the German Pet Trade and Industry Association (ZZF). ZZF focuses on responsible pet ownership and the joy of living together with pets. 

Dr. Rowena Arzt, Head of Exhibitions for Interzoo, discussed in-depth what the international pet industry can expect when they attend the show. “Interzoo 2026 will bring together the entire international pet industry in one place, with almost 2,400 exhibitors from about 70 countries and trade visitors from around 140 nations. This year’s show will cover 150,000 square meters of gross exhibition space in 15 halls featuring a unique variety of product and brand presentations, offering something for everyone and bringing the entire world of pets to life.” 

She continued, “The trade show is complemented with Interzoo’s international conference programme offering actionable insights into global markets and future developments, including the Interzoo Sustainability Conference, Petfood Forum Europe, Interzoo Academy Sessions on regional markets and trend topics, the new Sourcing Stage focused on international supply chains and the Fresh Ideas stage for innovative solutions.”

“In a nutshell, exhibitors and attendees can expect unmatched international reach, business-driven networking, thought leadership, and a comprehensive view of the global pet industry—all in one event,” said Arzt.

In the past five years, there has been an increase in global attendees at pet shows. Karsting of SUPERZOO confirmed, “We’ve seen substantial growth in international participation. In 2022, there were just 25 countries represented; in 2025, that number increased to 84 countries.”

SUPERZOO works hard to include attendees and exhibitors from all across the world. Karsting explained, “We’ve created a show that is open to everyone, and we make our international visitors feel welcome and included. Buyers see the North American pet innovations on the show floor, of course, but they also get the first look at what exhibitors from countries such as Canada and China are bringing to market. SUPERZOO gives everyone opportunities for in-person conversations that they can’t have anywhere else. It builds their business, but it also builds a sense of international community, and that keeps growing year after year.”

He continued, “SUPERZOO also offers an International Lounge, a dedicated space on the show floor where buyers and suppliers from other countries can meet and form relationships. And, of course, the show’s Las Vegas location and sheer scale—with more than 3,800 buying companies and over 50 percent of attendees managing purchasing budgets exceeding $100,000—make it a must-attend from a business perspective. Our international participants are integral to SUPERZOO’s success, and we want SUPERZOO to be just as integral to theirs.”

Arzt from Interzoo also noticed the uptick in the past few years in show participants from abroad. She affirmed, “The internationality of Interzoo attendees has remarkably increased over the last few years. On the exhibitor side, now 70 countries are showcasing their products. Nearly 88 percent of the exhibitors are from abroad. Following Germany, the countries with the highest number of exhibitors are China, Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, the USA, Poland and the UK. New exhibiting countries that were not present at the previous Interzoo 2024 are Egypt, Kazakhstan, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.” 

She continued, “This year, a total of 16 country pavilions will be on display. Turkey, Thailand and Spain are represented with their own country pavilions for the first time. And, in terms of exhibition space, Interzoo has seen a significant increase in the number of stands from European countries, as well as from North and South America and Asia.” 

“On the visitor side, we are now up to 140 countries with a continuous increase in the number of nations represented since Interzoo 2018. Currently, 74 percent of ticket bookings are from outside Germany, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from all five continents to Interzoo 2026,” said Arzt. 

There are many reasons why manufacturers, wholesalers, and industry professionals worldwide come to Interzoo. Arzt noted, “Exhibitors meet high-quality trade buyers and key decision-makers from 140 countries, enabling companies to expand into new markets and strengthen global distribution networks. Furthermore, Interzoo delivers measurable business value: the vast majority of exhibitors report building new business contacts and they expect follow-on business after the event, which makes participation highly attractive. And, for many exhibitors, Interzoo provides a global stage to launch new products, present innovations, and identify emerging trends across all pet-related segments—from pet food and accessories to technology and services. Thereby, Interzoo offers unparalleled international visibility and brand-building opportunities for companies looking to position themselves globally.” 

Interzoo doesn’t just want to be a destination. It also works hard at being an inspiration. Arzt elaborated, “Interzoo is an exhibition created by the pet industry for the pet industry. With its unique combination of market insights, innovative special exhibition areas, and events on current topics such as sustainability, Interzoo reflects the creativity and transformative power of the entire pet industry value chain. As the world’s leading international trade fair, we are aiming to provide guidance and inspiration to a diversifying industry.” 

“In addition, this year, we have also put efforts into activities welcoming attendees to the wonderful city of Nuremberg and bringing the Interzoo brand to life. You will find Interzoo much more present in the city of Nuremberg than ever before. Your exhibition ticket includes public transportation in the Nuremberg area, and for the first time, we offer Interzoo-branded products at the show. We would like Interzoo to be the trade fair where the industry from all around the world comes together to cultivate international contacts, conduct business, engage in high-level dialogue and, at the same time, feel at home.”

Two other major shows that bring together international pet brands and influence the market are Global Pet Expo and CIPS.

Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s premier event, is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). The APPA is the leading trade association for the pet industry with a mission to build a connected and informed community with a passion for pets while serving the pet industry through services and programs designed to help its members prosper. PIDA is the premier trade association representing the interests of pet product distributors with a mission to enhance the wellbeing of the wholesaler-distributor, to promote partnerships with their suppliers and customers and to work cooperatively with other organizations in fostering the human animal bond.

Global Pet Expo features more than 1,000 exhibitors, 3,500 booths, and more than 3,000 new product launches annually, gathering nearly 20,000 pet professionals from around the world.

“As the industry continues to grow, Global Pet Expo plays a vital role in advancing products and practices that put pet health, wellbeing, safety and sustainability first, while helping businesses grow and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace,” said APPA President and CEO, Pete Scott. “Our focus is preparing the industry for what’s next. By expanding hands-on learning and partnership opportunities, Global Pet Expo gives businesses the tools they need to innovate, compete and succeed.”

This year, Global Pet Expo had two new additions to their show floor: Global Petfluence Studio, which was an interactive digital content hub for pet brands, influencers and retail media so they could connect to their international audiences on social media. Featuring dedicated video and audio studios, the space fostered content creation, social commerce, and media partnerships. New to the show was also a Tech Innovation Lab, which let pet retailers discover and demo the latest technologies transforming the industry. 

“The Global Petfluence Studio and Tech Innovation Lab reflect our commitment to evolving with the industry and serving the needs of the entire pet community,” said APPA Chief Growth Officer Jeremy Baker. “These new experiences not only spotlight the technologies and creators shaping the future of pet retail and marketing, but they also create meaningful opportunities for connection, discovery, and growth across our ecosystem.”

Global Pet Expo draws international pet industry members for its many product launches and its visibility into emerging trends.

“Global Pet Expo is where the pet industry sets its direction for the year ahead,” said Scott. “What we see at the show doesn’t just reflect trends, it defines them. From breakthrough innovation to the partnerships that fuel growth, this is where the business of pet care moves forward.”

With 26 years of development, China International Pet Show (CIPS) has become the largest pet and aquarium products show in the Asia-Pacific region. It features more than 20 global conferences, new product showcases, and more than 80,000 professional attendees. 

While the show features all different pets, they do have a unique focus on aquatics. It is co-hosted with Ornamental Fish International, which features industry experts analyzing global, traditional, and emerging markets, including topics on sustainability and technology.

There’s also the CIPS International Aquascaping Contest, which is a competition featuring categories such as aquascaping, best aquatic plant, and best biotope configuration, with live finals.

One attendee of last year’s CIPS show noticed that, “While mature markets such as Europe and the United States maintain a stable purchasing pace, the consultation activity in emerging markets such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa has significantly increased. Besides the long-standing friends of the China International Pet Show for over 20 years, more and more emerging forces have chosen to come to the exhibition to expand their business.” 

This year, the show introduced a new brand visual identity under the theme of renewal. The modern and internationally aligned visuals are supposed to reinforce CIPS’ long-term vision of serving as an evolving industry platform that continues to support the global industry. Dashi Zhang, head of visual design for CIPS, explained: “The recognizable typography and professional identity long associated with CIPS have been carefully retained and strengthened. Our goal was to create a visual language that feels contemporary and dynamic while respecting the platform’s heritage—meeting modern digital communication standards while maintaining the professionalism expected of a leading global trade platform.”

“The new visual identity represents a visible commitment to our global partners,” said Hong Yu, project director of CIPS. “It reflects our continued evolution into a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable industry hub. CIPS is not only a venue for trade—it is also where ideas are exchanged, trends are explored, trust is built, and future collaborations begin.”

International Pet Retail Leaders

Pet ownership statistics by country vary. As of 2026, global pet ownership is led by dogs with approximately 900 million, and cats with about 370 million. According to World Population Review, the US has approximately 70 million dogs and 74 million cats. Brazil has one of the world’s largest pet populations, with about 160 million pets. Brazil also has the highest number of exotic pets. China has about 27 million dogs and 53 million cats. Russia owns 17 million dogs and 23 million cats. Italy wins for the most birds, with 12.9 million feathered friends. 

Pet ownership is rising most in Millennial households, who tend to have smaller families or have children later in life. In emerging markets, the expanding middle class is driving pet population growth, according to a report from Health for Animals, a global animal health association.

Across the globe, many standout companies help all of these pet parents care for their animals. 

Europe

Fressnapf is the European market leader for pet supplies, with locations in 15 European countries. Since the opening of the first Fressnapf store in 1990 in Erkelenz, founder Torsten Toeller has been the company owner and is now the majority shareholder. Fressnapf reported $4.3 billion in sales in 2025—a 2.5 percent increase over the previous year.

“The robust revenue growth and significant increase in operating profit in fiscal year 2025 reflect our successful international growth ambitions and are the result of the consistent transformation of our business model,” said company CFO Florian Wieser.

The UK’s leader in pet care is Pets at Home. A unique blend of retail stores, grooming salons, vet practices, and an online platform, they provide a one-stop-shop experience, with a huge range of products and services available at UK-wide stores, as well as through their app and website. Pets at Home Group reported a 0.1 percent increase in revenue to $1.9 billion USD for the fiscal year 2025 ending March 2025, driven by growth in its vet business.

Ukraine’s largest pet retailer, MasterZoo, is planning to open 60 new stores nationwide this year. Currently, MasterZoo operates more than 200 pet stores and 17 grooming salons across 38 cities. Its product portfolio includes more than 12,600 SKUs, with 1,650 new items introduced in 2025. No earnings are public, but the company is actively expanding its retail presence and is exporting pet products to Japan as part of an international expansion strategy.

Australia/New Zealand

Petbarn and Animates are leading Australasian pet specialty retailers. They both operate under the parent company, Greencross Limited. Petbarn is the primary brand in Australia, with more than 140 stores, while Animates operates in New Zealand. They provide a wide range of pet supplies, including food, treats, toys, and grooming products. Services include vet clinics, pet grooming, DIY dog washes, and puppy school. Petbarn’s annual sales amounted to US $133 million in 2025. This represents a change of 0-5 percent from the previous year. 

Greencross AU is an Australian pet care company. It operates the Petbarn and Greencross Vets chains in Australia. Greencross Vets is Australia’s largest veterinary group, offering comprehensive care including vaccinations, surgery, dentistry, and consultations. Greencross reported approximately $2 billion in revenue for the 2025 financial year. Plans for an initial public offering (IPO) are underway. TPG Capital, Greencross’s US-based private equity owner, aims to raise about $700 million in the offering, valuing the company at around $4 billion, according to local media reports.

South America

Petz is Brazil’s largest pet retailer. With more than 260 stores across 24 states, Petz offers a range of pet products, veterinary clinics, grooming services, and adoption programs. They are a leader in innovative digital strategies and AI-driven marketing. Last December, they merged with Cobasi. Since the merger, Cobasi is now called União Pet and has incorporated Petz as its wholly-owned subsidiary. They ended the fiscal year 2025 with a combined revenue growth of 8.8 percent year-over-year. 

 “The primary goal of this merger is to reduce costs for both companies, allowing consumers to access better prices than we currently offer. We are two very complementary companies, and this union will make us even stronger,” reported Sergio Zimerman, Founder and CEO of Petz, and now Chairman of the new merged company.

Africa

Absolute Pets is South Africa’s largest specialist pet product company. They have more than 200 stores across the country, with the majority located in the three metropolitan areas of Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg. Their stores provide premium, vet-recommended pet food and stylish accessories, and give expert advice on grooming and veterinary care. In February 2026, Absolute Pets launched on the Mr D app to improve quick delivery options for customers. While earning figures were not public, since its acquisition by Woolworths Holdings Limited, they have reported that the company has seen significant growth in recent years.

Asia

Pet Lovers Centre is the Asia-Pacific’s leader in pet care services. It is one of the largest and oldest pet store chains in Singapore. Today, they have more than 170 stores in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. As of 2025, estimated annual revenues are between 15 and 25 million. The company was recognized as the International Retailer of the Year at the September 2025 PetQuip Awards.

The global pet industry is rapidly expanding, driven by rising pet ownership, premiumization, and increased spending on health, nutrition, and services around the globe. As the market continues to be more international, major trade shows like Interzoo, SUPERZOO, Global Pet Expo, and CIPS play a central role in connecting global buyers and sellers, showcasing innovation, and shaping industry trends.