Sharp increase in the popularity of dry food

In 2002 half of the 24.6 million households in the UK had a pet.  The Pet Food Manufacturers Association puts the number of cats kept as pets at 4.8 million, while the number of pet dogs is reported to be 4.5 million. 40 per cent of these dogs fall into the “large“ category, with medium-sized dogs accounting for 26 per cent, small dogs 22.9 per cent, toy dogs 6.5 per cent and giant dogs 2.9 per cent. The most popular breeds in Britain are Labrador Retrievers, Yorkshire Terriers, Border Collies, Jack Russell terriers and German Shepherds.
However, the numbers of both dogs and cats are declining in the UK. The fact that the pet food market grew nevertheless by approximately 3 per cent in 2002 compared with the previous year was due above all to the growing interest in premium food.
Sales of dry dog food increased by £ 21 mio compared with the previous year, with a volume of sales of £ 317 mio  (approx. 466 mio €) and reported tonnage of        307 000 (2001: 292 000 t). By comparison, sales of moist food suffered a decline from £ 315 mio (approx. 461 mio €) in 2001 to £ 311 mio (approx. 455 mio euro) in 2002. The tonnage fell during the same period from 370 000 t to 350 000 t. Mixer products also experienced a downward trend, with sales declining from £ 42 mio (approx. 61.4 mio €) to £ 37 mio (approx. 54 mio €) and tonnage from 70 000 t to 63 000 t. On the other hand, dog treats developed positively in the UK market, bringing in £ 131 mio (approx. 191.7 mio €) in 2002 compared with £ 125 mio (approx. 183 mio €) the previous year. The tonnage of 48 000 t remained unchanged, however.
Great Britain’s pet food market in 2002
(pdf-Datei zum Herunterladen)
Dry food accounts for 40 per cent of sales in the dog food market, moist food 39 per cent, treats for 16 per cent and mixer products for 5 per cent.  
Although the market share of dry cat food is growing, moist food continues to dominate the market. Sales of moist cat food in 2002 were reported to be £ 527 mio (approx. 771 mio €), with tonnage declining from 416 000 t to 399 000 t. During the same period, sales of dry food rose from £ 139 mio (approx. 203.5 mio €) to £ 157 mio. Tonnage increased from 76 000 to 78 000 t. Broken down according to sales, the market for cat food comprises 77 per cent moist food and 23 per cent dry food.
The products of the two leading pet food suppliers, Masterfoods and Nestlé Purina Pet Care, currently have a market share of around 50 per cent. Since the food retailing sector is by far…