Positive development of the German Pet Market

In 2022, pets were kept in 46 percent and thus in almost half of all households in Germany. This is the result of the latest survey by the German Pet Trade and Industry Association (Zentralverband Zoologischer Fachbetriebe Deutschlands e.V., ZZF) and the Pet Supplies Industry Association (Industrieverband Heimtierbedarf, IVH). There was a total of 34.4 million dogs, cats, small mammals and ornamental birds were kept in total. In addition, there were numerous ornamental fish and terrarium animals. 67 percent of all families with children owned a pet and 14 percent of all households had at least two pet species. The cat remains Germany's number one pet with 15.2 million specimen and therefore also an important sales driver, especially in the pet food sector. It is followed by dogs (10.6 million) and small animals (4.9 million). A high and stable level that shows how crisis-proof the love of German pet owners for their animal companions is.

Sales figures of the German pet market in 2022

Accordingly, the German pet industry in 2022 maintained the high sales level of previous years and recorded total sales of just under 6.5 billion euros, the majority of which (5.1 billion euros) were in the stationary specialist and food retail trade. 4 billion euros accounted for the product category of pet food, thereby being the largest revenue item.

The revenue of the top five product categories:

• Cat food: 2,011 billion euros (+ 12.5 percent compared to the previous year)
• Dog food: 1,807 billion Euros (+ 7.8 percent)
• Dog accessories: 229 million euros (- 4,6 percent)
• Cat accessories: 224 million euros (- 2.5 per cent)
• Supplies and accessories for ornamental fish: 191 million euros (- 2.1 per cent)
  
  

Supplies and accessories slightly down – cat litter sales up

In 2022, sales of commodities and accessories in the stationary trade amounted to one billion euros – a minus of 0,9 percent. Only cat litter as an article of daily use continued to grow. With a turnover of 324 million euros and thus a plus of 6.1 percent, it remained the largest segment for articles of daily use and accessories.

The market data illustrate the economic power of the German pet industry, which accounted for 21 per cent of the exhibitors and 28 per cent of the trade visitors at Interzoo 2022, the world’s leading trade fair for the pet supplies industry.

Figures, data, facts

Further information on the number of pets in Germany can be found on the website of the honorary sponsor of Interzoo, the German Pet Trade and Industry Association (ZZF).

Details on the revenue of the German pet market including graphic material and downloads can be found here.