Macroeconomic Data of the Pet Industry and Trade Sector in Spain and Europe
The pet industry has grown significantly in recent years, becoming a key sector in the economy of Spain and Europe. This boom is driven by the increase in pet ownership, the development of specialized products and services, and greater social awareness of animal welfare.
The Spanish Market
In Spain, there are over
28 million pets, present in 40% of households. This number includes
9.3 million dogs,
5.8 million cats,
7.9 million aquarium animals,
5 million birds, and
1.5 million reptiles and small mammals.
According to the Spanish Pet Identification Network (REIAC), there are now more dogs than children under 15 years old, and in Madrid, the number of dogs is double that of children under three years old.
The sector's business volume reaches
2,984 million euros annually, distributed across two major areas:
- Products (2,287 million euros):
- Food: 1,356 million euros.
- Zoosanitary products: 327 million euros.
- Other products (accessories, toys, etc.): 604 million euros.
- Services (697 million euros):
- Veterinary services: 420 million euros.
- Dog grooming: 250 million euros.
- Other services (transportation, shelters, insurance, etc.): 27 million euros.
Trends and Trade
E-commerce grew by 25%, representing between 5% and 6% of total sales, establishing itself as a key channel due to its convenience and competitive prices. Large retailers have gained ground, negatively affecting small neighborhood pet shops. Currently, more than
5,000 physical pet stores operate in Spain.
As for spending per pet, Spaniards spend an average of
1,260 euros per year, distributed as follows: food (823 euros), veterinary services (353 euros), and accessories (83 euros). This spending has grown
7.3% in two years. In Europe, the monthly household spending on dogs and cats reaches
217 euros.
The Sector in Europe and the Global Market
In 2020, the European market generated
40.5 billion euros, growing by 2.8%. In the European Union, there are 80 million households with pets, which include
74.4 million cats and
66.4 million dogs. Globally, annual growth of 5% is expected, surpassing
200 billion dollars by 2025.
Employment in the Sector
The sector has a significant impact on employment:
- Direct jobs: 75,000 people:
- Petshops (5,500): 25,000 jobs.
- Dog grooming (10,000): 15,000 jobs.
- Veterinary clinics (6,250): 25,000 jobs.
- Manufacturers and distributors: 10,000 jobs.
- Indirect jobs: 300,000 people, including logistics, services, and exports.
Profile of Companies in the Sector
In Spain, there are
12,358 companies dedicated to the sector (compared to 8,000 in 2010). These include distributors, manufacturers, and retailers, with an average annual turnover of
3.96 million euros. Sales are predominantly domestic (83%), although manufacturers export 23% of their products, mainly to
Portugal (31%),
France (23%),
Italy (9%), and
Germany (7%).
Sales channels are dominated by physical stores (89%), although online commerce is steadily growing (11%). According to the type of store, small stores generate an average of
115,318 euros, medium-sized stores
268,582 euros, and large stores
1,043,357 eurosannually.
Adoptions and Abandonment
Although pet adoptions have increased, abandonment remains a critical issue, especially in summer. It is estimated that
44% of abandoned animals are adopted thanks to the work of associations, public administrations, and animal welfare entities. Despite these advances, abandonment remains a significant social concern.
Source: Estimated data from AEDPAC (2022).
