Joe Denham, Director General of trade association PetQuip, has revealed that export trade barriers continue to be a challenge for UK pet product firms and has urged the government to help with financial support. 

What’s your abiding memory of 2025 from a pet industry perspective?

The PetQuip Awards were the highlight of the year. It was fantastic meeting members and celebrating the innovation that we continue to see from British businesses.

Is there one moment/experience that stands out for you?

Our international pavilions this year continued to make an impact, especially Zoomark and Pet Fair South East Asia. British products continue to be viewed by overseas retailers as innovative and forward thinking.

What are the challenges facing the pet trade in 2026?

From member feedback, recruitment of staff continues to be somewhat of an issue, as well as export trade barriers. As a federation, we are working to help members to overcome those barriers and make trading as frictionless as possible.

How will you and PetQuip be approaching the year ahead?

We are approaching 2026 with enthusiasm. Our Meet the Buyer programme is being extensively extended with overseas suppliers that are really keen to talk to our amazing British companies.

Is there one thing that the government (or outside agencies) could do to support the pet industry?

There are several things, but they should concentrate on compliance issues, particularly within the feed sector and also to re-instate financial support for businesses that want to expand.

What are your hopes for 2026?

The federation’s raison d’etre is to help British businesses within the sector. We will be pushing hard to do everything we can to help them. Our patrons are helping us to replace government funding and we are supremely grateful for their continued support to help us to help smaller businesses within the sector.

And what should the pet industry look forward to?

Continued growth is the defining goal for everyone in the industry. The PATS trade show and PetQuip Awards are always a highlight of the year and we look forward not just to participating but supporting every attending business.

For more information about PetQuip visit www.petquip.com