The German Pet Market 2006

The positive trend in the pet industry continues in the German market. Following its solid gains in 2005, the pet care market continued its growth in 2006. The total sales of 3.148 billion euro were 2.2 percent above the previous year.

Pet care items were able to generate a sales increase of 3.3 percent to 817 million euro, whereas the pet food market went up by 1.8 percent to 2.331 billion euro.
The total number of pets in German households rose to 23.2 million in 2006 (without ornamental fish and aquaria), i.e. a growth of 0.4 percent versus 2005.

In 2006 there were about 200,000 more cats in German homes than the previous year, i.e. a growth of 2.6 percent to 7.8 million in total. At 5.3 million animals, the dog population remained stable. The small animal population once again grew. With about 100,000 new animals, there were 1.6 percent more rabbits, guinea pigs etc. living in German homes than in 2005. Hence, the total number increased to 6.3 million.

The number of aquaria grew by 1 percent to 1.95 million. Ornamental fish also found a home in 1.4 million garden ponds (a plus of 7.7 percent). The number of terrarium occupants remained unchanged at 420,000.

(source: IVH)