On October 5, 2022, PMUC held an expert forum titled “Research and Development in the Premium Pet Food Industry.” The event was hosted by Dr. Wanee Chonhenchop, Chair of the High-value Food Subcommittee, and Professor Natdanai Hankansujarit, Director of High-value Food Group Coordination, with the aim of advancing Thailand’s premium pet food and food-ingredient industries.
PMUC (Program Management Unit for Competitiveness) is an organization that manages and supports programs designed to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Thai companies. The committee aims to promote economic growth and industrial development while contributing to improvements in the domestic and international investment climate and overall business environment.
Toward the Development of Thai Pet Food Exports
Accelerating Rapid Growth in Pet Food Exports
Thailand’s pet food export market in 2022 is estimated to be around 100 billion baht, and it is regarded as a highly attractive market for investors and entrepreneurs. In addition, Kasikorn Research Center projected Thailand’s pet food export value in 2022 to be approximately USD 2.4 billion (or about 80 billion baht), compared with around 62 billion baht recorded in January–October 2021.
Thailand’s major export destinations are:
- United States: 29.3%
- ASEAN market: 16.9%
- European Union (EU): 15.5%
The latest outlook suggests that Thailand’s pet food exports are still highly likely to grow. One reason is believed to be that during the COVID-19 pandemic, more people began to show greater affection toward their pets and treat them as family members.
Pet Food Development Leveraging Thailand’s Strengths
PMUC’s promotion policy focuses on funding research for Thailand’s high-quality pet food and food-ingredient industries, including:
- Biotechnology products
- Bioactive substances extracted from plants
- High-protein pet food made from insect-derived ingredients
- Functional pet food
- Pharmaceuticals
- Thai-made pet food with proven health benefits
- Premium pet food that is in high demand in existing markets
PMUC believes Thailand can become an advanced country in the development and production of premium pet food through technological development and innovation that leverages Thailand’s biodiversity and natural resources. As a result, PMUC expects Thailand’s national economic competitiveness to improve.
What Thai Experts Consider “Premium Pet Food”
How Experts Categorize Premium Pet Food
Dr. Nattasit Tansakul (Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University) categorized pet foods distributed in the market into:
- Complete and balanced pet food
- Pet treats
- Holistic food
He also noted that when products are classified based on consumer trends, categories include:
- Holistic food
- Organic food
- Functional pet food
- Premium pet food
In general, when Thai veterinarians assess an animal’s overall health, they examine multiple factors such as:
- Body weight
- Skin and coat
- Ears and oral cavity
- Lung and heart health
- Urinary system
- Musculoskeletal condition
They also assess health based on the pet’s energy expenditure—for example:
- Calorie requirements by age
- Calorie requirements during breeding periods or pregnancy
- Calorie requirements for animals with illnesses
In this way, veterinarians analyze the health benefits of premium pet food from the following perspectives:
Categories of Premium Food (as considered by veterinarians)
- Adding fatty acids such as DHA to support brain health
- Adding enzymes to support dental health and help prevent plaque
- Adding digestive aids to promote digestion and maintain/improve gastrointestinal balance
- Adding essential oils and vitamins to support healthy skin and coat
- Nutritional supplementation to help prevent urinary diseases (kidneys and urinary tract), and supplementation aimed at reducing factors that cause kidney stones
- Supplementation with glucosamine and omega-3 to support bones and joints
When abnormalities are detected through clinical evaluations, blood tests are conducted to check organ function. Tests may include:
- Assessment of basic immune levels
- Urine specific gravity testing
- Evaluation of pH and protein levels
- Testing for parasites, viruses, and bacterial infections
- Assessment of the digestive system and endocrine system
- Tests for other specific diseases
These clinical test results can be said to contribute significantly to the development and growth of premium pet food in Thailand.
What Thai Experts Consider “Pet Food Safety”
How Experts Evaluate Pet Food Safety
In general, Thai veterinarians diagnose issues related to pet food by looking at the pet’s health condition. This may include detecting:
- Urine specific gravity issues
- Harmful substances such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic
- Toxic substances such as mold or pesticides
Food allergy assessments are also conducted. Allergies tend to appear as symptoms such as:
- Ear inflammation
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Ultimately, PMUC states that in the premium, high value-added food segment, food safety and animal food allergies are areas that pet food manufacturers must pay particularly close attention to.
Currently, PMUC research places strong emphasis on protein sources, because certain types of protein may be highly likely to negatively affect taurine intake. For example, cats cannot synthesize taurine-containing amino acids in their bodies. If taurine becomes deficient, it may impact conditions such as cardiomyopathy.
In this way, PMUC is carrying out various studies and initiatives to contribute to the development of Thailand’s pet food industry, and it is expected that pet food development, manufacturing, and exports in Thailand will become even more active in the future.