Pet Food Packaging Market Size

Global Pet Food Packaging Market size was valued at USD 11.4 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 12.1 billion in 2024 to USD 19.42 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period (2025-2032). 

One of the key drivers of the pet food packaging industry is the growing consumer need for sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging. As environmental issues grow, pet owners demand biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable packaging, forcing manufacturers to embrace greener options that are in line with international sustainability objectives while ensuring product safety and shelf life.

The pet food packaging market globally is on a steady upswing, catalyzed by growing pet adoption, premiumization of pet foods, and higher awareness of the health and well-being of pets. As owners of pets take their pets like family members, the need for high-quality nutritious and convenient food for pets has increased. This has resulted in manufacturers investing in some of the innovative and more sustainable packaging solutions that ensure freshness, extend shelf life, and are convenient. Among these, flexible packaging includes pouches and resealable bags, which is preferred due to its lightweight characteristics and cost-effectiveness.

Also, inflexible packaging solutions like cans and plastic containers continue to be necessary for wet pet food items. The industry is also seeing a move towards green packaging, with companies looking at biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable packaging materials to lower their carbon footprint. Developments in digital printing and intelligent packaging technologies are further transforming the industry, allowing customization, interactive packaging, and QR code-based product information. The growth of e-commerce has also had a great impact on packaging design, which requires strong and compact packaging to ensure safe shipping.

Moreover, regulatory requirements related to food safety, labeling, and sustainability are influencing packaging innovations globally. Industry leaders such as Amcor, Mondi, Sonoco, and Berry Global are aggressively pursuing research and development efforts in an effort to unveil pioneering packaging solutions that meet consumers' needs as well as industry regulations. Increased usage of functional and resealable packaging as well as intelligent labeling and traceability capabilities will continue to fuel innovation. As humanization of pets continues to impact buying habits, the packaging of pet food will continue to expand with sustainability, convenience, and premiumization as drivers of growth.

Key Market Attributes

In November 2024, Swiss-based packaging firm Amcor Plc said it will acquire US-based Berry Global Group in an all-stock deal worth $8.43 billion. The merger strategy is designed to form a behemoth player in the consumer and healthcare packaging space with the merged revenues to be around $24 billion. Although Amcor has been associated with the merger which will augment the value proposition of the company and be expected to create around $650 million in annual synergies by mid-2025-third year postclosure, this event is pretty likely to significantly impact the pet food packaging industry due to the innovation drive it boosts and the widening packaging offerings for manufacturers of pet food formulated products.

In August 2023, Mondi Group, the packaging leader in sustainable packaging, joined forces with Fressnapf, the largest pet supplies retailer in Europe, to move towards a new suite of premium mono-material recyclable packaging solutions. The collaboration centers on the use of high-end process color printing technology to create packaging that is both eco-friendly and visually attractive. The company Fressnapf will take such recyclable materials to bring down the environmental impact of its operations in line and for increasing market requirement for sustainable pet food packaging. This kind of move can prove pioneering in the industry and cause rippling effects onto other companies to take up their own eco-packaging practices in the years to come.

In May 2023, Berry Global Group collaborated with Peel Plastic Products Ltd. and ExxonMobil to introduce ISCC PLUS certified circular plastics into pet food packaging. With ExxonMobil's Exxtend technology, the program utilizes plastic waste for food-grade packaging, fostering sustainability. Reducing the need for virgin plastics, the collaboration aids a circular economy and more sustainable packaging solutions. The initiative is expected to drive long-term changes in the pet food packaging industry by setting new standards for recyclability and sustainability, influencing manufacturers worldwide to adopt greener alternatives while meeting growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible packaging.

Nestlé Purina PetCare launched fully recyclable pouch packaging in October 2022 as a continuation of its vision of having 100% recyclable or reusable packaging globally. Through this move, Nestlé Purina is hoping to minimize environmental footprint while responding to growing consumer demand for eco-friendly pet food packaging. Nestlé Purina, through the change to recyclable packaging, is redefining industry standards by inspiring competitors to switch to eco-friendly packaging materials. This innovation is likely to propel long-term innovation in pet food packaging, shaping sustainability trends and compliance with regulations while advancing a circular economy in the marketplace.