T. Ozbun
Research expert covering food retail and all food topics for Italy and Brazil
Pet care industry in Brazil - statistics & facts
Pets are an important part of Brazilian families. In fact, Brazil is the country with the largest pet population in Latin America. With nearly 168 million pets in 2022, dogs are the favorite pets among Brazilian households. To the demise of cats, which come in third place based on number of pets owned in Brazil, birds are the second most preferred species. After all, Brazil’s megadiverse ecosystem is home to more than 1.8 thousand bird species.
The sheer number of pets kept by Brazilians makes the country one of the main pet markets in the world. Brazil’s pet care industry accounts for nearly five percent of the global pet care market and it constitutes, by far, the largest pet food market in Latin America. Comprised of pet food, pet supplies, pet services, and vet care, the industry built around the needs of every family’s furry little friend is a thriving business in Brazil.
Like in many other industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some changes for the Brazilian pet care market. For instance, e-commerce channels have become increasingly important during this crisis. Though only accounting for six percent of the pet care revenue in 2022, online sales of pet care items exhibited the highest revenue growth among all pet market categories in that same year. Sales of pet care products in Brazil also showed a noticeable increase during that period.
The sheer number of pets kept by Brazilians makes the country one of the main pet markets in the world. Brazil’s pet care industry accounts for nearly five percent of the global pet care market and it constitutes, by far, the largest pet food market in Latin America. Comprised of pet food, pet supplies, pet services, and vet care, the industry built around the needs of every family’s furry little friend is a thriving business in Brazil.
Talking figures: how much is Brazil’s pet care market worth?
The Brazilian pet care industry generated a revenue of over 60 billion reals in 2022, out of which the pet food segment represented more than 50 percent. However, the leading sector in terms of workforce is pet breeding, which employs nearly 85 percent of the total number of workers in Brazil’s pet industry.Like in many other industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought some changes for the Brazilian pet care market. For instance, e-commerce channels have become increasingly important during this crisis. Though only accounting for six percent of the pet care revenue in 2022, online sales of pet care items exhibited the highest revenue growth among all pet market categories in that same year. Sales of pet care products in Brazil also showed a noticeable increase during that period.
Shops and clinics, major players
Over 63 percent of the Brazilian companies operating in the pet care sector are pet shops and veterinary clinics. Pet breeding companies accounted for just over half that figure, while those in the manufacturing sector accounted for less than one percent. Based on market share, Mars Brazil is the leading pet food company, which operates household name dog and cat food brands as Pedigree, Champ, Whiskas, and Sheba. In the segment of pet accessories and hygiene products, Merial holds the largest market share. A subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim, Merial owns and markets the brand Frontline in Brazil, one of the best-known animal hygiene product lines in the country.
