Shun NagaiThe Thai government is encouraging local pet food companies to expand their business further in Taiwan and Japan, two markets that offer the dual advantages of geographic proximity and strong demand.
Interest in Taiwan picked up again following the Taipei Pet Show, held from July 5 to 8, 2024, where Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and more than a dozen Thai companies achieved strong results. According to the ministry, the Thai delegation secured more than US$2.5 million in orders from 200 importers, including Taiwanese department stores and major retailers.
Last year, Thailand exported US$87.18 million worth of pet food to Taiwan, accounting for 33.05% of Taiwan’s total pet food imports, making Thailand the largest exporter of dog and cat food to the Taiwanese market. The ministry believes that exports of Thai pet food, pet treats, and other pet-related products to Taiwan can increase even further in the coming months.
Likewise, Thai pet food manufacturers are being urged to step up exports to the Japanese market, especially in the cat food segment. This latest trade update came from Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) office in Hiroshima, which highlighted the dramatic changes in the size of Japan’s dog food and cat food markets in recent years.
Pannee Suwanpinton, head of the DITP Hiroshima office, said that cats have been the most popular household pets in Japan for about the past 10 years. Last year, Japan had around 9 million pet cats and 6.8 million pet dogs. Although pet ownership rates are lower than in other developed countries, Pannee emphasized that Japanese consumers are highly willing to spend on their pets, making Japan a competitive and attractive market.
Thailand is currently the third-largest exporter of dog and cat food to Japan, and Japan was Thailand’s second-largest export market for pet food last year, with trade valued at US$330 million.
The Thai government’s call to expand pet-related exports to Taiwan and Japan is aimed at the 5,009 pet-related businesses registered in Thailand, whose combined capital totals approximately THB 100 billion (US$2.75 billion). Of these, 2,138 are registered pet food manufacturers, pet care companies, and service providers.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Target export markets | Taiwan and Japan |
| Key advantages | Geographic proximity and strong demand |
| Taipei Pet Show dates | July 5–8, 2024 |
| Orders secured in Taiwan | More than US$2.5 million |
| Number of importers in Taiwan | 200 companies |
| Thailand’s pet food exports to Taiwan | US$87.18 million |
| Share of Taiwan’s total pet food imports | 33.05% |
| Thailand’s position in Taiwan | Largest exporter of dog and cat food |
| Focus in Japan | Especially cat food |
| Pet cats in Japan | About 9 million |
| Pet dogs in Japan | About 6.8 million |
| Thailand’s position in Japan | Third-largest exporter of dog and cat food |
| Japan’s value as Thailand’s export market | US$330 million |
| Registered pet-related businesses in Thailand | 5,009 companies |
| Total registered capital | About THB 100 billion (US$2.75 billion) |
| Registered manufacturers, pet care, and service businesses | 2,138 companies |
Reference: Thailand eyes more pet food exports to Taiwan and Japan | PetfoodIndustry