T. Ozbun
Research expert covering food retail and all food topics for Italy and Brazil
Pet care industry in Brazil - statistics & facts
Pets are an important part of Brazilian families. In fact, Brazil is the country with the largest pet population in Latin America. With nearly 161 million pets in 2023, dogs are the favorite pets among Brazilian households. To the demise of cats, which come in third place based on number of pets owned in Brazil, birds are the second most preferred species. After all, Brazil’s megadiverse ecosystem is home to an impressive number of bird species.
The sheer number of pets kept by Brazilians makes the country one of the main pet markets in the world. Brazil’s pet care industry accounts for more than five percent of the global pet care market and it constitutes, by far, the largest pet food market in Latin America. Comprised of pet food, pet supplies, pet services, and vet care, the industry built around the needs of every family’s furry little friend is a thriving business in Brazil.
Like in many other industries, the COVID-19 pandemic brought some changes for the Brazilian pet care market. For instance, e-commerce channels became increasingly important during this crisis. Though only accounting for close to eight percent of pet products and services sales in the country in 2024, online sales of pet care items exhibited the highest revenue growth among all pet market categories two years prior. Sales of pet care products in Brazil also showed a noticeable increase during that period.
Pets play a significant role in the lives of Brazilian people, and the pet industry in the country is poised for continued growth.
Talking figures: how much is Brazil’s pet care market worth?
The Brazilian pet care industry generated a revenue of over 77 billion reals in 2024, out of which the pet food segment represented more than 50 percent. However, the leading sector in terms of workforce is pet breeding, which employs nearly 85 percent of the total number of workers in Brazil’s pet industry.Like in many other industries, the COVID-19 pandemic brought some changes for the Brazilian pet care market. For instance, e-commerce channels became increasingly important during this crisis. Though only accounting for close to eight percent of pet products and services sales in the country in 2024, online sales of pet care items exhibited the highest revenue growth among all pet market categories two years prior. Sales of pet care products in Brazil also showed a noticeable increase during that period.
Shops and veterinary clinics are major players
Over 63 percent of the Brazilian companies operating in the pet care sector are pet shops and veterinary clinics. Pet breeding companies accounted for just over half of that figure, while those in the manufacturing sector accounted for less than one percent. Based on revenue, BRF Pet is the leading pet food company, which operates household name dog and cat food brands as Balance, Gran Plus, and Faro. The majority of Brazilians tend to purchase food for their pets from specialized pet stores, while a small minority still rely on veterinarians and veterinary clinics for their purchases.Pets play a significant role in the lives of Brazilian people, and the pet industry in the country is poised for continued growth.
