Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: The growing market could be a good fit for Wisconsin companies in the pet food industry.
About 22 million dogs and cats have homes in South Africa—250,000 more than a year ago—and their owners represent more than one-third of the country’s population, according to 2023 Euromonitor data.
Nearly four of every five pets are dogs, while cats account for 27%, and some owners have both.
Consumers spend R8 billion ($500 million USD) a year on their pets, primarily for pet food, which accounts for R7.1 billion ($440 million USD).
According to Euromonitor, the sector is expected to grow another 2.5% into 2026.
Pet food businesses in South Africa are growing and consolidating. Large grocery retailers are seeing the market potential and making inroads toward buying and developing local chains. They include Woolworths, which recently bought a 93.5% share of Absolute Pets, with more than 150 locations around the country.
Shoprite Checkers now owns 86 Petshop Science stores around the country. It is the first large grocer to initiate its own branded stores.
South Africa is also home to many independent pet stores, and online shopping is popular. Veterinary care is expanding, too, with more than 50% of owners saying they use veterinary services.
South Africa’s pet food market is highly regulated by the country’s Department of Agriculture. A registration number must be printed on the product’s labeling, which can be awarded after a review of the pet food formulation and verification of nutritional claims.
South Africa is the largest market for pet products in Africa, generating about half of the sector’s revenue throughout the continent. Wisconsin exporters can benefit from this growing market.
