Cat ownership in the European Union 2023, by country

In 2023, Romania ranked highest for cat ownership among countries in the European Union, with 48 percent of households in Romania owning at least one cat. Poland followed in second with about 41 percent of cat-owning households. That year, the overall pet cat population on the continent was estimated at around 129 million.

Pet food production in Europe

The pet food industry in Europe gained pace in recent years and presently holds a prominent position on the global level. In 2022, Europe was the largest pet food producing region in the world, with a production volume of approximately 11.78 million metric tons, compared to 11.2 million metric tons produced in North America. That year, Europe’s pet food production volume was, however, one of the slowest-growing in the world. The Latin American region was the fastest-growing.

European pet food companies

Europe’s growing pet food industry also means there are many players in the pet food market competing for profits. In 2021, United Pet Food Producers, a Belgian pet food manufacturer, garnered the highest revenues of approximately 800 million U.S. dollars. Other leading pet food companies in Europe included Agrilomen SA fromSpain and Deuerer from Germany, with annual revenues totaling 753 million and 750 million U.S. dollars, respectively.