Petfood Forum Europe 2026 highlights innovation, sustainability and market growth

​Europe’s pet food market remains one of the largest and most influential in the world, with new opportunities emerging across sustainability, ingredient innovation and processing technology. Those trends were front and center at Petfood Forum Europe 2026, held May 11 in Nuremberg, Germany, ahead of Interzoo.

According to Sahiba Puri, research manager at Euromonitor International and opening speaker at Petfood Forum Europe, Europe continues to hold its position as the world’s second-largest pet care market, accounting for 30% of global pet care retail value sales. Global pet care retail sales are projected to reach USD 224.5 billion in 2026.

Eastern Europe shows stronger pet food market growth potential

While Western Europe remains a mature and significant pet care market, Eastern Europe is expected to see stronger future growth. Puri noted the region is forecast to grow at a 3.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2026 and 2031, signaling expanding opportunities for pet food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and pet nutrition companies.

The market outlook set the tone for a conference program focused on the technologies, nutrition research and business strategies influencing the next generation of pet food manufacturing and innovation.

Sustainability, AI and ingredient innovation drive industry conversations

Petfood Forum Europe 2026 featured presentations exploring many of the pet food industry’s most pressing topics, including:

• Mapping the future of European pet care: Emerging trends and strategic opportunities by Sahiba Puri, Euromonitor International
• Pawsitive change: A holistic approach to sustainability in pet food by Dan Lorenzen-Schmidt, BHJ
• How rendered pet food ingredients compare to novel ones: What is most sustainable for the future? by Anne Gaasbeek, Mérieux NutriSciences | Blonk
• Enzymes advancing sustainability, digestibility and health in companion animal nutrition by Deni Kostelac, Ph.D., International Flavors & Fragrances
• Perceptions, sources and the evolving role of long-chain omega-3s in pet nutrition by Julian Pietrzyk, Ph.D., MiAlgae Ltd.
• Beyond the box: What makes pet food subscription models stick by Annika Rahm, Hey Holy
• From hype to evidence: Real-world consumer insights from Europe’s first cultivated meat trial for dogs by Jan Luprich and Katharina Eist-Holland, Ph.D., Bene Meat Technologies
• AI-assisted supplier auditing: Transforming pet food supply chain assurance by David Rosenblatt, DVM, Sher Consulting and Training
• Optimizing pet food freeze-drying processes: Energy, hygiene and nutritional integrity by Magnus Jochumsen, GEA Process Engineering

“Petfood Forum Europe program reflected the ongoing strength of the European market and the industry’s growing focus on sustainability, ingredient innovation, processing technologies and evolving consumer expectations,” said Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. “By bringing together scientific research, market trends and practical business strategies, the conference helps professionals prepare for what’s next.”

Global pet food professionals gather in Nuremberg

Pet food professionals from 33 countries attended the event, including representatives from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and others.

The conference created opportunities for international networking and collaboration among pet food manufacturers, suppliers, researchers and industry leaders. The event concluded with a joint reception alongside participants from the Interzoo Sustainability Conference.

Petfood Forum Europe co-located with Interzoo 2026

Petfood Forum Europe 2026 was co-located with Interzoo, held May 12-15 in Nuremberg, Germany. Interzoo is the world’s largest marketing platform for the international pet supply industry, bringing together manufacturers, wholesalers and service providers from 68 countries.