Advocacy
Global Trade
Significant global growth opportunities exist as pet owners increasingly seek high-quality commercial pet food for their dogs and cats. PFI works with U.S. and foreign governments to increase market access and facilitate U.S. pet food exports through science-based policies. Additionally, PFI advocates for policies enabling imports of key ingredients and equipment to benefit the U.S. food and agriculture sector.
Supporting Global Growth in Pet Food Exports
After exponential growth in pet food exports since 2020, U.S. dog and cat food exports hit $2.4 billion in 2023, with products shipped to over 90 countries. As pets continue to be seen as valued members of families and pet owners seek to provide their pets with complete and balanced commercial pet food, significant opportunities continue to grow in international markets. PFI supports and engages with both U.S. and foreign governments to secure, maintain, and expand access to critical markets worldwide. PFI encourages adherence and adoption of science-based standards and regulations that ensure the safety and quality of pet food globally, while creating a stable and predictable regulatory environment for U.S. pet food exports.
$2.4BGlobal Exports of U.S. Pet Food & Treats
Top U.S. Export Markets in 2023
| Canada | 53% |
| China | 11% |
| Mexico | 9% |
| Japan | 5% |
| Australia | 3% |
| Rest of the World | 19% |
Promoting International Standards
PFI is proud to work with like-minded organizations and different arms of the U.S. government to promote the use of internationally recognized science-based regulatory standards. As a founding member of the Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA), PFI has worked to promote science-based standards for use in international trade. GAPFA works with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to ensure the safe export of pet food.
PFI works with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to ensure that science-based standards are at the forefront of trade negotiations with trading partners. This working relationship supports expansion and continued access to foreign markets.
The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) is the global network that connects U.S. producers to U.S. agriculture worldwide. The vital relationship between PFI and FAS ensures that U.S. producers are always informed of trade issues and connected to U.S. government officials and policy experts in foreign markets and Washington, D.C.
Expanding Market Access
As a cooperator in the USDA Market Access Program (MAP), PFI uses USDA grant funds to engage in marketing activities across eighteen countries to promote the safety and quality of U.S. pet food. PFI’s in-country representatives carry out community events to educate consumers, veterinary conferences, and media campaigns and follow a global marketing strategy that promotes U.S. pet food’s safety, quality, and nutritional value. The work done by the in-country representatives is vital to understanding consumer attitudes and habits in overseas markets, which enables PFI to provide the American pet food industry with valuable market insights to expand exports.
Explore market opportunities with our Market Tracker
Learn more about our Market Access Program
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