Elaborated How Supply Chains of Pet Foods, Treats and Ingredients Safeguarded between USA and Trade Partners at CAFIC 2024
The 5th China International Companion Animal Food Ingredients Conference (“CAFIC 2024″), was held in Yangzhou, China between Apr. 21-25, 2024. Hosted by LAMB Consultancy and HDSF Tech, CAFIC 2024 with theme on ” How technology and management improve safety, quality and innovation of pet foods”, has been China’s largest event connecting the booming pet food industry and many upstream industries producing ingredients, supplements, equipment and services. China’s pet food industry become one of the fastest growing segments in consumer goods industries. The total number of dogs and cats as household companions reached 120 million in 2023. China’s dry pet food production was 1.46 million metric ton in 2024 and total value of China’s wet pet food production was estimated to be 3 billion USD. Annual growth of Chinese pet food industry averages 10% in the 5 years, creating demands on ingredients and technologies from domestic and international market. CAFIC 2024 included a total of 28 presentations, panel discussion and a tour to Keshan Pet Food.
Ted Shibata, Acting Director of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Shanghai, overviewed US pet foods and pet food ingredients, trade status with China as well as the vital roles that ATOs play in support of trade of US pet foods and ingredients, leading to the significant growth of export of US pet foods to China since 2020. Erik Smidt, Agricultural Counselor of the Netherlands Kingdom in China introduced pet food consumption, and trend of pet food industry in Netherlands. Adhinand Indrapim, Minister Counselor of Royal Thai Embassy in China, introduced the trend of pet food consumption in Thai pet families, governmental regulation over pet food facilities and importance of international standardization and certification on pet food and ingredient quality. Monika Kolpaczynska, Business Development Manager of Polish Trade and Investment Office introduced polish pet food industry, various ingredient industries and potential cooperation with Chinese customers.
Dr. Ashley van Batavia, veterinarian of USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) office in Beijing, introduced protocols of US pet foods and rendered animal protein ingredients signed by APHIS and the Chinese counterpart, and regulation APHIS has been implementing to guarantee bio-safety of US pet foods and pet food ingredients. These protocols facilitated trade leading to the U.S. becoming China’s No. 1 trade partners of pet food and pet food ingredients such as poultry meal, plasma proteins.
Edward Potter, Assistant Country Director at FDA’s China Office, gave a key-note speech on “US Compliance Requirement for Foreign Pet Food Facilities and Pet Food Importers” and answered questions from the audience on FDA’s regulation of pet foods and ingredients. Mr. Potter explained pre-market pet food ingredient approval, elaborated on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Animal Food, and reviewed its requirements for animal foods, including preventive control qualified individuals (PCQI). He also discussed the importance of the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) across the pet food manufacturing and ingredient industries, and mandatory requirements for firms exporting pet foods to the USA. FDA’s speech was educational to Chinese pet food and treat makers interested in US markets
