The pet food market in Mexico is growing fast, but it has its share of challenges. Héctor Pinto, co-founder and CEO of The Respet Company, breaks down some key issues that define the current landscape.
1. Market Control and Ethics
Three major companies dominate the market, using their size and distribution power to stay on top. Although these brands offer good ingredients, Pinto highlights a problem: they often prioritize sales volume over ethical practices and transparency. This focus makes it tough for smaller brands to shine. Pinto believes there’s a chance for brands that emphasize ethical practices and customer needs, but warns that entering this market can be tough.
2. Wet Food Potential
The wet food segment in Mexico has room to grow, yet it faces challenges in how it’s currently viewed. Many see wet food, especially pouches, simply as treats rather than a part of a pet’s main diet. Pinto points out that this has created a low-value category that isn’t very profitable. He suggests it’s time to change this perception and promote canned wet food as a staple in pet diets. Although wet food makes up only 13% of the total pet food volume in Mexico, according to Triplethree’s 2024 report, it has a lot of potential for brands willing to innovate.
3. Informed Consumers
Today’s pet owners are more informed and demand quality, transparency, and ethics from brands. With the help of AI tools, they can easily research and make choices based on values. Pinto emphasizes that brands need to be authentic, clearly express their values, and build trust with their customers to attract this new generation of buyers.
4. Market Evolution
Pinto sees the Mexican pet food market at a turning point. Even though big players hold a strong position, there are opportunities for brands that meet the needs of modern consumers with ethical and innovative options. If wet food can be repositioned within the market, brands that resonate with today’s values can thrive.
According to Pinto, the future of the pet food industry lies with companies that mix resilience, ethics, and transparency while providing real value amidst growing competition.
