my pet wellness
Expectations indicate continued growth in consumer demand for alternative proteins, customized products, and transparent ingredient disclosure.
Escalating challenges include: scarcity of ingredients and environmental impacts of access and packaging
The report highlights Purina's progress in meeting key commitments, including launching 30 new products, supporting the adoption of 98,731 pets, and reaching the goal of 94% of soybeans without deforestation.
Purina, the leading pet food company, revealed eight trends that will affect the future of the pet care sector, on the eve of United Nations World Environment Day and as part of the third edition of its "Purina in Society" report, which also addresses emerging challenges. in the pet care industry and its findings are based on more than 100 interviews with veterinarians, the media, industry leaders, Purina partners and leading thinkers.
The report also addresses the impact of Purina's initiatives, partnerships and collaborative relationships on the lives of pets, their owners, and the planet we all live on.
Here are some of Purina's activities over the past two years:
30 new products launched to improve the health and wellness of pets
Produce 94% of soybeans without deforestation and develop 78% of recyclable packaging
Collaborate with partners to educate more than one million children about the responsibility of owning and caring for pets
Support to adopt 98,731 pets
Directions:
Pet ownership is on the rise, with the latest Euromonitor International statistics showing an accelerated growth in pet ownership across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, compared to 2019, when the pet population reached 3 million. The year 2020 saw the total number of pets grow to 5.1 million across the region, with an upward growth of 70%.
Changes in the future of work as a result of the growing need for remote work
The shift to e-commerce, as the share of e-commerce has swelled over the past year as a result of shoppers keen on social distancing.
The increasing demand for alternative ingredients/alternative proteins, as the decline of natural resources globally contributes to imposing pressures related to reducing consumption or finding alternative sources. And as millennial pet owners treat their dogs and cats as members of the family, more and more dogs are living on flexible vegetarian diets, with foods made from animal and plant proteins.
Continuing demand for more natural foods due to animal health and wellness concerns
Greater understanding of the societal impact of pet ownership and the opportunity to positively reflect on human health, the quality of education, and communities.
Flexible, optimized and AI-powered solutions, including tailored nutrition systems, as people turn to smart ways to manage their lives using digital technologies powered by big data, AI, and predictive analytics. As technological advances improve consumers' experiences and provide new services in other areas of their lives, expectations will increase for seamless, enjoyable products and experiences tailored to the needs of pet care.
New demands for transparency from companies Consumers want to be able to assess the environmental impacts of their purchasing decisions, including any impacts on animal wellness, within the value chain; Specifically, the transparency of the disclosure of components supply chains.
Challenges
Resilience of supply chains, manufacturers faced unprecedented challenges during the global pandemic in 2020, including the difficulty of securing workers' safety, sourcing raw materials or conducting cross-border trade, which affected stocks in some cases and could affect them in the near future.
Difficulty obtaining affordable pet care products, due to availability and the impact of the pandemic on income
Ingredient scarcity – and the need to manage resource availability to keep our planet sustainable
The Nestlé Group's commitment to net zero emissions and potential new business models
The environmental impact of supply and packaging operations on the safety of our planet
The continuous, technology-driven transformation of the economy, the way we live and the production of pet food.
“We are setting new ambitions and reassessing our commitments to ensure that we can act in the interest of our planet and make a positive impact on people and society as a whole,” said Jeff Hamilton, CEO, Nestlé Purina Pet Foods EMEA. This will push us to move forward at a faster pace, advance social issues and continue to achieve our goal of enriching the lives of pets and their loved ones.”
He added, “This edition of Purina in Society is an affirmation of our continued efforts and collaboration with partners and organizations that share our vision, and together we will create a more sustainable and resilient future for pets, our planet and our communities.”