Increasing income and lifestyle is also fueling the demand for fresh frozen pet food

The global fresh frozen pet food market is expected to grow at a steady CAGR during the forecast period of 2022 to 2024. Fresh frozen pet food is gaining popularity among pet owners as it closely resembles raw food and provides nutritional value. Increasing humanization of pets and rising awareness about the importance of nutrition are some of the key factors driving the fresh frozen pet food market.

Fresh frozen pet food consists of raw meats, fruits, and vegetables that are individually quick frozen (IQF) to retain nutrition, flavor, and texture. Unlike coarsely ground or canned pet food, fresh frozen food is minimally processed and contains no preservatives. It retains most of the natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes found in the ingredients. Due to convenience, many pet owners prefer fresh frozen food to dehydrated raw or homemade food. All these advantages are driving the global demand for fresh frozen pet food.



Based on pet type, the global fresh frozen pet food market is segmented into dog food, cat food, and others. Dog food held the largest market share of over 60% in 2021. The segment is expected to continue to dominate the market during the forecast period as dogs are more likely to be fed fresh frozen diets than cats. However, the cat food segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the same period. Increasing number of cat ownership across regions and rising awareness about cat nutrition is driving the sales of fresh frozen cat food.

On the basis of distribution channel, the market is segmented into specialty pet stores, mass merchandisers, veterinary clinics, online retail, and others. Specialty pet stores held the leading market share in 2021 as these stores offer a wide range of fresh frozen pet food brands. However, the online retail segment is expected to witness the fastest growth by 2024. Convenience, home delivery, lucrative discounts, and rising internet and smartphone penetration are some of the factors driving e-commerce for fresh frozen pet food.

Geographically, North America dominated the global fresh frozen pet food market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period as well. This can be attributed to factors such as high pet ownership, increased pet humanization, presence of major manufacturers, and growing awareness about pet health in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is likely to offer lucrative growth opportunities for market players due to rising pet adoption rates in the region, improving standard of living, and booming e-commerce industry.

Some of the leading players in the global fresh frozen pet food market include WellPet LLC, Stella & Chewy's LLC, Vital Essentials Raw, Steve's Real Food, Bravo Packaging, Inc. Freeze Dried Raw, K9 Natural Inc. fresh frozen dogs and fresh frozen foods. These companies are focusing on capacity expansion, new product launches, and mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market position. For instance, in August 2021, Bravo Packaging acquired Northern Battery Co. to expand its product range of pet food packaging solutions.

The global fresh frozen pet food market is gaining increasing attention due to growing awareness about pet nutrition and pet humanization. Increasing disposable income and changing lifestyles are also fueling the demand for fresh frozen pet food in key regions. Continuous innovation in packaging solutions and development of regional and private labels will further contribute to the market growth during the forecast period.