"Capture the 320 Trillion Won Global Pet Market"... Domestic Enthusiasm Also 'Heated'

Global Market Research Firm Forecasts
Growth to 478 Trillion Won by 2030
Domestic Related Exhibitions like 'Mega Joo Ilsan' Also Flourishing

On the 19th, at KINTEX in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, crowds accompanied by dogs of all sizes filled the booths, numbering around 2,000. Pet owners carrying snacks and clothing purchased at various booths in both hands, and dogs, seemingly aware of the shopping for themselves, roamed around with excited expressions. This was the scene at '2023 Mega Zoo Ilsan,' the largest pet industry exhibition in Korea.

At '2023 Mega Zoo Ilsan,' the largest domestic pet industry expo held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, visitors are touring the event venue with their pet dogs.
[Photo by Messe Esang]

Lee Jeong-eun (37) from Mapo-gu, Seoul, said, "I came for the first time to look around dog snacks and nutritional supplements, and the scale was larger and the variety more diverse than I expected." Exhibitors from the United States, China, Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, Taiwan, T?rkiye, and other countries set up booths in the 'Global Pavilion' to showcase pet-related products. Some visitors from California, USA, interested in the exhibition and side events, also attended the venue.

Hosted by the Korea Pet Food Association and organized by Messe Esang, this event featured about 700 companies specializing in dog food and snacks, clothing, bathing and hygiene products, pet electronics and healthcare devices, pet insurance, and pet-friendly travel, setting up 2,000 booths to welcome visitors. This was the largest scale ever, surpassing the 607 companies and 1,335 booths that participated in the exhibition held during the same period last year. Kim Seung-hwan, manager of the Pet Life Team at Messe Esang, said, "This year, for the first time, we used the entire first exhibition hall of KINTEX to hold the exhibition," adding, "The scale is growing every year, and the number of overseas exhibitors is increasing."

Consumers' interest in pet products was also high. For example, BYC collaborated with the pet lifestyle brand Roda at this event to introduce the fall/winter (FW) season dog product line 'Gaeriyas,' with popular items like the 'Kimjang vest' selling out early. At booths selling pet health supplements, visitors lined up to consult about products and receive samples.

The largest domestic pet industry expo '2023 Mega Zoo Ilsan' held at KINTEX Ilsan in the first half of this year
[Photo by Messe Isang]

The global pet industry is recognized as a sector with significant growth potential worldwide. According to the global market research firm Fortune Business Insights, the global pet industry market size is expected to grow from $246.66 billion (approximately 320 trillion KRW) this year at an average annual rate of 5.9%, reaching $368.88 billion (approximately 478 trillion KRW) by 2030. In the U.S. market, which leads the pet industry, the food sector holds the largest share, while various other sectors such as pet clothing and toys, pet health supplements, pet care products, and health (insurance) are also rapidly growing.

Domestically, the government plans to focus on pet food, pet healthcare, pet services, and pet tech as key sectors to foster the pet-related industry. It will expand government support for new research and development (R&D) projects in areas with strong on-site demand and collaborate with related ministries to support exports of pet products. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, South Korea exported $1.267 million (approximately 1.643 billion KRW) worth of pet food to the U.S. last year, marking a 17.9% increase compared to the previous year. Although South Korea ranks as the 29th export country globally, its market share remains minimal at about 0.1%.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the domestic pet industry market size was about 8 trillion KRW last year. The government aims to expand this to 15 trillion KRW by 2027. Next year, pet-related exhibitions and fairs will be newly held in Daejeon and Gwangju, totaling 13 events. An industry insider said, "The number of 'Petfamjok (Pet + Family)' and 'Petmijok (Pet = ME),' who regard pets as family members or themselves, is increasing, and consumers have a strong desire to keep their pets healthy and beautiful to show others," adding, "Because they are also active in purchasing related products, the growth potential of related industries is significant."