By Martina Kao    Photo：CANVA

The Thai pet food and supplies market is in a golden period of rapid growth, which is a rare opportunity for traders and investors seeking to expand into the Asian market. Thailand has become the world's fourth largest pet food exporter, with advantageous logistics costs and a rapidly growing domestic demand market, creating a high-potential import and export springboard for traders and investors. As a professional freight company, we will comprehensively analyze the potential of Thailand's pet industry from the perspectives of industry data, export trends, logistics advantages and practical suggestions to help you seize this wave of pet economy.

1. Thailand’s pet food exports: 4th in the world and 1st in Southeast Asia

Thailand is rich in agricultural products, so 95% of pet food ingredients come from Thailand. According to the 2024 report of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, Thailand's total pet food exports in 2023 will reach 8.061 billion baht (about US$2.3 billion), an annual increase of 31.47%, of which dog and cat food accounts for more than 88%. Thailand has become the world's fourth largest pet food exporter, after Germany, the United States and France.

Major export markets include the United States, Japan, Italy, Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan and India. Among them, the United States and Japan are the largest importers, accounting for 30% and 14.7% of Thailand's pet food exports respectively.

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2. Domestic demand market: Humanization and high-end pet consumption drive consumption upgrade

Thailand's domestic pet market is also booming. As of June 2024, there are 5,009 pet-related companies registered in Thailand with a total registered capital of approximately 98.798 billion baht (approximately US$2.7 billion), covering areas such as pet breeding, food and supplies retail, pet care and services.

The trend of "pet humanization" is obvious, and pet owners are investing more attention and resources in the health and quality of life of their pets. The demand for high-end, functional and organic pet food continues to rise, driving the market towards high value-added products.

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3. Thailand’s logistics and trade advantages

As freight experts, we have observed that Thailand has the following advantages in logistics and trade:

1. Extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs): Thailand has signed FTAs ​​with 15 countries, including China, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru and Hong Kong, which exempt or reduce tariffs on pet food exports.

2. Superior geographical location: Located in the center of Southeast Asia, it is convenient for radiating major Asian markets and has convenient logistics and transportation.

3. Competitive production costs: Relatively low labor costs, coupled with a well-developed manufacturing infrastructure, help control production and transportation costs.

4. Government support for exports: The Thai government actively promotes the development of the pet industry and encourages companies to participate in international exhibitions and expand overseas markets.

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4. Practical advice: How to enter the Thai pet market

For traders and investors interested in importing and exporting to the Thai pet market, we offer the following suggestions:

1. Market research and product positioning: Gain a deep understanding of Thai consumer preferences, especially the demand for high-end, organic and functional pet products, and adjust the product portfolio to match market trends.

2. Establish local partnerships: Find reliable local agents or distributors and leverage their market knowledge and sales networks to accelerate market penetration.

3. Participate in international exhibitions: Actively participate in international pet exhibitions such as "Pet Fair South-East Asia" to enhance brand awareness and expand business cooperation opportunities.

4. Optimize logistics and supply chain management: Choose an experienced freight partner to ensure transportation efficiency and cost control, especially in cold chain logistics and customs clearance processes.

5. Pay attention to policy and regulatory changes: Pay close attention to changes in trade policies and regulations between Thailand and major export markets, and adjust strategies in a timely manner to deal with potential risks.

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The Thai pet food and supplies market has shown strong growth momentum and broad development prospects. For companies seeking to expand into the pet market, it is undoubtedly an area worth investing in. As a professional freight company, we are committed to providing efficient and reliable logistics solutions to help you enter the Thai market smoothly and seize the growth opportunities of this wave of pet economy.

If you need to know more about pet product logistics services in Thailand, please feel free to contact us. We will wholeheartedly provide you with professional consultation and support.

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