The worldwide market for pet supplies reached a sales volume of some 72.3 billion euros last year, according to the market research institute Euromonitor, and the European pet industry turned over more than 27 billion euros of this figure in 2013. The figures were announced as the international trade show Interzoo began in Nuremburg today (Thursday).

1,720 exhibitors from 63 countries are showcasing their products at Interzoo, the biggest trade fair in the world for pet supplies. The organisers expect over 30,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries to attend.

The industry’s leading exhibition has grown by 12% to a new record number of exhibitors and offers even more display space. In 110,000 square metres in 12 halls, visitors can discover everything about the pet industry’s new trends. The largest areas are occupied by Germany, China and Italy, followed by the USA, Great Britain, France and the Netherlands.

Norbert Holthenrich, the President of the German Pet Trade & Industry Association (ZZF), says: “The international pet industry’s dynamic and expertise in the professional care of pets is presented in a particularly varied and vivid way at Interzoo.”

And even more countries present their products this year – now there are also exhibitors from Argentina, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Columbia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Uganda and Vietnam. This has increased the international share again – by another three percentage points over 2012 to 82%. 

About 65% of the exhibitors present products for cats or dogs. The second largest product segment is aquaria with 22%, followed by articles for small animals and rodents with 20%.