Animal & Petfood Bulk Product Ingredients & Industry Trends EP12

In episode 12 of "Get the Scoop with Smirks," hosts Zach Schwint and Garrett McBride dive into the evolving landscape of the pet food industry. Fresh from their debut at the Pet Food Forum in Kansas City, they discuss current trends, ingredient innovations, and future directions for the industry. They also highlight the various bulk ingredients Smirks offers for pet food manufacturers and share insights on market demands and product development.

Market Growth and Trends

 The U.S. pet food market, valued at $43.9 billion in 2023, is expected to reach nearly $60 billion by 2032. Key drivers include premium pet food products focusing on overall wellness, healthy aging, and good digestion.

Innovation in pet food is booming, with a significant portion coming from new companies that have emerged in the last five years. Interestingly, Mintel Insights indicates there's even more new product development and innovation going on in the pet food industry, 50 % of which is for dogs and cats, than in human food.

Sustainability and Functional Foods

There are trends in the pet food industry that mirror what Smirk’s sees in the human food industry including a growing emphasis on sustainable practices, such as recyclable packaging and upcycled ingredients. Pet food facilities are increasingly powered by renewable energy.

Pet owners are also looking for functional pet food products focusing on better gut health are trending. Ingredients like quinoa flakes, pumpkin powder, and psyllium husk are in demand for their digestive benefits. The days of a few brands of kibble are long gone!

Ingredient Innovation

Plant-based proteins, such as pea protein and pumpkin protein powder, are becoming popular in pet food. Gluten-free and non-gluten-free options cater to various dietary needs. Some pet owners are getting DNA tests to determine the best diet for their family pet so options for all types of conditions are being considered.

Fruits and vegetables like banana, apple, strawberry, sweet potato, and potato starch are commonly used in pet foods. Alternative sweeteners like coconut sugar and functional oils like coconut and flaxseed oil are also gaining traction.

Ingredient benefits and versatility are key for pet food producers, and we discuss ingredients that Smirks offers for animal and pet food and pet treats. These items are typically offered in non -GMO conventional and organic formats.

1. Coconut Products

  Coconut is a major ingredient in pet food beneficial for dogs. Smirks offers a range of coconut products, including desiccated coconut, coconut sugar, and coconut flour. Coconut oils, such as virgin coconut oil and MCT oil, are noted for keeping pets' coats shiny and healthy.

2. Seeds