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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
JINAN, November 30 (Xinhua) — It's barely dawn before a factory in Tai'an, Shandong Province, eastern China, is bustling with activity. The delicious aroma of freshly baked pet food wafts through the air as bags of probiotic-enriched pet food are shipped down a conveyor belt to pet owners across the country.
Many of these parcels are orders received by pet food company Guo Tai Min An during China's online shopping festival on Singles' Day (November 11), the equivalent of Black Friday. This provides a clear picture of China's rapidly expanding pet economy.
Following the 11.11 shopping festival, pet-related sales on Chinese e-commerce platforms reached 9.4 billion yuan (US$1.33 billion), a 59% year-on-year increase. This demonstrates the growing popularity of pets in China and the comprehensive optimization of this industry in the country.
“Pet owners pay as much attention to what their pets eat as they do to the diet of their own children,” notes Li Yong, CFO of Guo Tai Min An.
This year, the company launched a series of probiotic-rich foods and developed more functional foods designed to improve gut health and coat quality in cats. These new products were warmly received by pet owners, and the company's customer base increased by 20 percent compared to last year.
At the Tai'an Pet Food Industrial Park, six companies have formed a seamless and mutually supportive supply chain. This year, the park's production volume is projected to exceed 1 billion yuan, up from 872 million yuan last year. This makes the park an example of how food research and innovation are driving the development of China's pet food industry.
According to a consumption report released by online pet industry big data platform Petdata, China's urban dog and cat market size is expected to grow 7.5 percent year-on-year to RMB 300.2 billion in 2024, with pet owners increasing their spending on categories such as food, veterinary services, consumables, and more.
Another report from iiMedia Research predicts that the Chinese pet market will reach 1.15 trillion yuan by 2028.
In the showroom of Shandong Kaigao International Trade Co., Ltd., designer Zhao Shuimiao puts the finishing touches on a tree-shaped cat play structure, inspecting its hollow chambers, multi-tiered branches, and soft nest.
"This height is perfect for cats to climb, and the canopy-like nest at the top gives them a sense of security," Zhao Shuimiao told Xinhua, adding that the design team came up with the idea for the complex after carefully observing the habits of about 100 cats.
Thanks to the fact that this product was developed with both feline instincts and home decor in mind, the system became an instant hit upon its release. According to business manager Li Hui, the company has now produced over 2,000 systems, divided into 30 series, ranging from compact models designed for small apartments to large cat play areas suitable for families with multiple cats.
Caoxian County in Shandong Province, the country's main hub for hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), is now producing pet clothing with hanfu elements, including delicate embroidery, flowing sleeves, and classic silhouettes.
"Pets deserve to look stylish too," Cheng Zhanying, owner of the pet store TAORAE, told Xinhua News Agency, showing off miniature clothes made of delicate jacquard.
While shopping for clothes for her dog at Cheng Zhanying's store, Wang Cui's customer remarked, "It's a great pleasure to dress up my pets in beautiful clothes."
In April of this year, a pilot pet transportation service was launched on 10 specially designated trains running between five stations on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway, allowing eligible cats and dogs to accompany their owners and receive special care during travel. The number of pet-friendly hotels and restaurants listed on Meituan, a leading online lifestyle platform, continues to grow.
At a shopping mall that opened in November 2024 in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province, shopper Li Shanshan was able to stroll comfortably with her dog, using a free stroller and a specially equipped pet elevator designed to minimize contact with other shoppers.
"Going shopping with a dog is no longer a problem. No one will turn us away," said Li Shanshan. -0-
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