Fi Europe’s 2026 Trends Report a $263.8 Bn Global Pet Food Market by 2036

Fi Europe, the food ingredients trade event organized by Informa Markets, has released its 2026 pet food trends e-magazine, mapping eight forces the organization says are reshaping product development, consumer behavior, and supply chain strategy across the global pet food industry.

The publication, titled “Staying on Top of Pet Food Trends,” cites analyst projections putting the global pet food market on track to reach $263.8 billion in value by 2036.

Report at a Glance

Three Trends Leading the Report

Of the eight trends covered in the e-magazine, three stand out as the most immediately actionable for manufacturers and ingredient suppliers heading into this year’s Fi Europe trade show.

1. Natural pet food demand keeps climbing. The report links the shift to the broader humanization of pets, with owners increasingly applying their own rising health consciousness to what they feed their animals. That is translating into stronger demand for pet foods free of artificial additives, preservatives, and fillers, with brands using digital channels and in-store education to promote raw, freeze-dried, and human-grade recipes, alongside functional treats aimed at digestion, joint health, and immune support.

2. Protein sourcing faces a sustainability trade-off. As demand grows for premium muscle meats, the report — drawing on input from the Pet Sustainability Coalition — flags a tension with circular sourcing and whole-animal utilization models that have traditionally made pet food a more efficient user of the meat supply chain. Human-grade sourcing, in other words, can come at the cost of some of the environmental efficiency co-products previously offered. The e-magazine points to insect-based, fermentation-derived, and hybrid protein formulations as emerging alternatives, even as conventional kibble continues to carry a lower greenhouse gas footprint than fresher, meatier formats.

3. Preventative nutrition is becoming central to pet care. Supplements are increasingly framed as a core part of pet wellness rather than an add-on, as owners look to condition-specific nutrition to manage long-term health outcomes and veterinary costs. Guy Sandelowsky, co-founder and co-CEO of vet-founded pet food manufacturer Omni, is quoted in the e-magazine saying that over time, optimizing a pet’s diet — including targeted nutritional add-ons — can deliver both health benefits and potential savings.

What Else the E-Magazine Covers

Beyond the three headline trends, the publication’s full topic list — built on last year’s “Future of Pet Food” report — also includes:

• The pet food protein paradox and whether human-grade sourcing is truly sustainable

• ChefPaw’s home-cooked pet food device and its tie to the broader personalization trend

• Findings that premium dog food can carry a larger carbon footprint than the diets of the owners feeding it

• Broader industry shifts driven by demand for sustainable pet food

• PetPax’s supplement delivery system designed specifically for dogs

Fi Europe 2026: What to Expect

The e-magazine doubles as a preview of programming at this year’s Fi Europe show, running November 17–19, 2026, at Messe Frankfurt. The event will introduce a new Pet Food & Nutrition Forum alongside its existing Pet Food & Nutrition Hub, featuring expert-led sessions, exhibitor showcases, fireside chats, and panel discussions built around the trends identified in the report. Full agenda details are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Yannick Verry, Fi Events brand director at Informa Markets, said the pet food industry is undergoing a “genuine transformation” that is moving faster than many realize, describing a shift from simply feeding pets to actively optimizing their health and longevity — a change he said touches everything from product formulation to packaging and consumer communication.

Why It Matters

The report lands at a moment when pet food companies are navigating competing pressures: rising consumer expectations for human-grade, natural formulations on one hand, and sustainability and cost efficiency on the other. With the global market projected to nearly double over the next decade, Fi Europe’s framing suggests ingredient suppliers and manufacturers that can reconcile those two pressures — through novel proteins, smarter supplementation, and transparent sourcing — will be best positioned for the growth ahead.