The Pet Market in Argentina

While Europe is currently engaged in intense discussions about regulatory initiatives such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and North America is increasingly developing its own circular economy strategies, Latin America’s packaging markets are also coming under greater scrutiny from international manufacturers and suppliers. The region combines growing pet markets with evolving regulatory frameworks and a packaging industry that still offers significant growth potential in many areas.

Argentina kicks off this series. The country is one of the world’s leading agricultural producers and has a long industrial tradition in food processing. At the same time, Argentina is among the countries with particularly high pet ownership rates, creating a stable foundation for the local pet food industry. For packaging manufacturers and material suppliers, this results in a market that, while subject to economic fluctuations, demonstrates remarkable momentum in the long term.

In upcoming issues, PetPack Journal will provide additional perspectives on this market. We conducted an in-depth interview with Madeleine Maida Re from the industry association CAENA, present company profiles of packaging manufacturers and suppliers active in the region, and offer some statistical insights into the market’s development.

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A Pet Market with Remarkable Momentum

Argentina ranks among the countries with the highest pet ownership rates worldwide. According to estimates, around three-quarters of all households own at least one pet. Dogs continue to dominate the scene, but the number of cats is also steadily increasing, particularly in urban areas. This strong pet culture is not only a cultural phenomenon but also a significant economic factor.

Humanization is driving demand for higher-quality products

“Pets occupy a central place in Argentine households, where they are considered family members, and in all the new family structures that exist today. This phenomenon drives greater concern for their well-being, health, and nutrition,” says Madeleine Maida Re of CAENA. “Humanization is driving demand for higher-quality products, while health and specialized nutrition are becoming increasingly important factors in purchasing decisions. A pet is not just an animal; it’s another member of the family.”

The Argentine pet food market has grown steadily in recent years. Various studies estimate the market volume at between $1.20 billion and $1.41 billion, with forecasts predicting a potential increase to $2.21 billion by 2033. A key driver is the increasing so-called humanization of pets. Pet owners increasingly view their animals as family members and, accordingly, place greater emphasis on nutrition, health, and product quality.

This trend is also changing packaging requirements. While simple plastic bags or multi-layer pouches continue to dominate the low-price segment, demand in the premium segment is growing for higher-quality packaging systems with improved barrier properties, attractive design, and longer shelf life.

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Structure of the Argentine Pet Food Industry

Industrial pet food production in Argentina has become highly professionalized in recent decades. Today, the market is characterized by a mix of international corporations and regional manufacturers. Companies such as Nestlé Purina PetCare and Mars Petcare are just as present as local brands, including Alican, Vitalcan, and Molino Chacabuco.

This structure also shapes the packaging landscape. Multinational companies frequently rely on globally standardized packaging solutions adapted from other markets. Local manufacturers, on the other hand, often work more closely with regional packaging producers and are more closely aligned with cost structures as well as the specific requirements of the local retail sector.

A large portion of pet food production is concentrated in Argentina’s agriculturally dominated central region. Proximity to key raw materials such as corn, meat, and grains reduces transportation costs and facilitates integration into existing agricultural supply chains. At the same time, a network of packaging manufacturers has developed in this region, encompassing flexible packaging, metal packaging, and corrugated cardboard systems.

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Packaging Systems for Pet Food

As in many other markets, flexible packaging dominates the dry food sector in Argentina. Multi-layer plastic laminates and stand-up pouches are widely used because they offer a favorable balance between material usage, barrier properties, and logistical efficiency. Doypacks and other resealable formats are gaining particular importance in the premium segment, as they offer greater user-friendliness and a stronger brand presence on the shelf.

Metal packaging continues to play a central role for wet food. Steel or aluminum cans are often combined with internal protective coatings to ensure product quality and shelf life. This packaging format is more material-intensive compared to flexible solutions, but offers an excellent barrier against oxygen and light.

In the price-sensitive segment, larger bags are also used, often made of multi-layer plastic materials. This packaging is primarily used for larger quantities of dry food and is aimed at households with multiple pets or agricultural operations.

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Regulation: A System in Transition

Unlike the European Union, Argentina does not yet have a comprehensive national packaging law that regulates all aspects of the circular economy and producer responsibility. Nevertheless, the regulatory framework is undergoing a transformation that is increasingly influencing packaging design, material selection, and labeling.

The Argentine Food Code, known as the Código Alimentario Argentino, plays a key role in this context. This set of regulations defines requirements for materials that come into contact with food and has been updated several times in recent years.

A particularly significant update occurred in 2024, when technical regulations from the Mercosur trade bloc were incorporated. Mercosur—comprising Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay—has long pursued the goal of harmonizing technical standards within the region. For packaging, this entails, among other things, common requirements for materials, coatings, and substance migration.

This development is relevant for manufacturers of pet food packaging because many packaging systems are technically identical to, or at least very similar to, food packaging. Metal cans, interior coatings, or flexible barrier films are therefore often subject to the same safety requirements as food packaging.

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Labeling and Recycling Requirements

In addition to material regulations, labeling regulations are playing an increasingly important role. In Argentina, there is a general requirement to provide product information in Spanish. For international brands, this may mean that packaging must be adapted or provided with additional labels.

Furthermore, recycling labels are also gaining importance. Packaging is increasingly expected to inform consumers about disposal options and facilitate the identification of materials. In many cases, these labels are based on national technical standards or international symbol systems.

For imported pet food products, this can create additional work in the supply chain. Packaging originally developed for other markets often needs to be adapted to meet local requirements.

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Discussion on a National Packaging Law

In parallel with these developments, a more comprehensive packaging law has been under discussion in Argentina for several years. At the center of the debate is the introduction of a system of extended producer responsibility, often known internationally as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Such a system would require manufacturers and importers to contribute to the financing of collection and recycling systems for packaging. The goal is to increase recycling rates while promoting the development of a circular economy.

Whether and when such a law will actually be passed remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the political discussion suggests that Argentina could align itself more closely with international models of packaging regulation in the long term.

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Recycling Reality and Informal Structures

While regulatory discussions often focus on circular economy concepts, the reality of waste management in many Latin American countries is more complex. A significant portion of the collection and sorting of recyclable materials is carried out by informal collectors, who extract materials such as PET bottles, aluminum, or cardboard from the waste stream.

These informal recycling structures play a vital role in the material cycle. At the same time, they present policymakers and industry with the challenge of formalizing existing systems more effectively and integrating them into national recycling strategies.

For packaging manufacturers, this means that the actual recyclability of materials depends not only on technical properties but also on the real-world collection and sorting structures on the ground.

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Outlook for Packaging Companies

Despite economic uncertainties, Argentina remains a market with significant potential for packaging manufacturers and material suppliers. The combination of a strong pet culture, a growing pet food industry, and the gradual evolution of regulatory frameworks creates an environment in which both local and international companies can operate.

“Sustained growth is expected, with more sophisticated consumer trends, expansion of the premium segment, and progress in innovation. This will include new formats across dry and wet foods, snacks, functional foods, and veterinary products,” says Maddie Maida Re of the CAENA association.

At the same time, integration into the Mercosur trade bloc offers the opportunity to develop packaging solutions for multiple markets simultaneously. Brazil, the region’s largest market, influences many trends in pet food and packaging and often acts as a technological pioneer.

For companies in the packaging industry, it is therefore becoming increasingly important to consider regulatory developments, market trends, and regional characteristics together. Argentina offers an insightful starting point for this.

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Outlook

In upcoming issues, PetPack Journal will shed light on further aspects of the Latin American market. In addition to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico will play a particularly significant role, as these countries are among the region’s most important growth markets.

Furthermore, an interview with CAENA will provide additional insights into the country’s packaging industry. The series will be complemented by market statistics and company profiles of manufacturers developing innovative solutions for pet food packaging.