Alternative Pet Food Boom To Follow US Crisis

As US consumer fears over tainted pet food continue to fester, alternative pet foods are emerging as the primary beneficiaries of the recent pet food recall crisis, according to the market researcher Packaged Facts.

Perception of traditional mass-produced foods is that it is less safe and this, says the company, virtually guarantees high double-digit growth rates for alternative pet foods over the next two years in the US. To back up its claim Packaged Facts has just released a report entitled: Product Safety and Alternative Pet Foods: North American Market Outlook.

The report traces the government, industry and consumer responses to the crisis. It reports that the alternative pet foods markets are now being positioned as both safer and healthier than their traditional pet food counterparts.

In defining the term 'alternative pet food,' the report identifies the main beneficiaries in this brand-switching trend as 'high-quality pet foods chosen as alternatives to traditional brands.' These include high-end natural and organic pet foods, fresh pet foods including raw/frozen, refrigerated, and homemade, and critically, 100% U.S. sourced, locally grown, and other smaller-batch pet foods.

David Lummis, Senior Pet Market Analyst, Packaged Facts, puts the market in turmoil:

"Billions of dollars in pet food brand sales are now up for grabs as a result of the pet food recall crisis and its ongoing effects as consumers seek out safer, higher quality foods for their pets. This is a highly emotional issue for many pet food companies, with many now actively reexamining and restructuring their operations as a result of the recall."

The report explores pet food market trends, such as:
Levels of consumer awareness of the recall and current and expected effects on purchasing behavior
More direct company oversight of ingredients sourcing and production; new labeling and organic pet food standards
New product trends
New technologies in fresh pet foods
Increased government oversight of the industry
The report can be purchased directly from Packaged Facts.

Submitted by: Steve O'Malley

source: www.ukpets.co.uk