Nestlé is investing over CHF157 million (US$193.3 million) to expand its pet food production facilities in Thailand. This investment aims to address the increasing demand for high-quality pet nutrition, particularly for the Purina brands including Felix, Friskies, Pro Plan, and Purina One. The production site in Rayong will enhance the manufacturing capabilities to serve both local and international markets.
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"Pet food is one of Nestlé’s most dynamic segments globally, accounting for around 21% of Group sales. This investment reflects our confidence in its long-term potential across Asia, Oceania, and Africa as well as the rest of the world," said Remy Ejel, CEO of Nestlé Zone Asia, Oceania, and Africa. He emphasized that Thailand plays a crucial role in Purina’s global manufacturing network, which will enable the company to better serve pet owners with superior nutrition.
The rise in pet ownership has significantly influenced the demand for premium pet nutrition. Nestlé notes that pet owners are shifting from home-cooked meals to packaged, high-quality food that fosters the health and well-being of their pets. Hubert Wieser, CEO of Nestlé Purina Petcare, highlighted that there are over 350 million domestic pets in the Asia, Oceania, and Africa region, and this population is steadily increasing.
Wieser pointed out that pets are increasingly viewed as family members, which is driving the demand for specialized products aimed at enhancing their longevity and quality of life. To support local value creation, Nestlé plans to use locally sourced ingredients such as poultry, fish, and vegetables in its production.
Earlier this year, Nestlé made a similar investment of CHF520 million (~US$641.9 million) for a new Purina wet pet food facility and logistics platform in Mantova, Italy, with production scheduled to commence in 2029. Additionally, a new factory was launched in Vargeão, Brazil, to boost the production of wet food for cats and dogs, catering to both local and export demands in one of the world’s largest pet food markets, which houses approximately 110 million pets. This investment in Brazil totals CHF370 million (~US$473.6 million) and aims to nearly double the company’s wet pet food capacity there upon completion.