Pet food packaging: trends and design in 2022
As the baby boomer’s ownership of pets declines, pet food packaging design turns its attention to millennial and Gen Z consumers. These young generations are rapidly redefining what it means to be a “pet parent,” including everything from caring for their animals as well as how they shop for them with new trends emerging every day.
Millennial shoppers continue to favor healthier and more sustainable choices for their food, but when it comes down to choosing what they buy at pet stores there is one thing above all else-quality. They are willing to pay an added cost in order to get these benefits that older generations took without thinking about them. According to a global study conducted by Nielsen, nearly three-quarters of millennials say they are willing to pay extra for sustainable products.
The pet food packaging market is one that’s experiencing growth and popularity. One reason for this sudden increase in interest? The a growing number of people who view their pets as companions, rather than just animals to CARE FOR! In addition, there has been an increased awareness among owners about maintaining healthy lifestyles with our four-legged friends by focusing on what they eat – which means you need advanced spillsafe or premieresome type boxes so your pup can stay happy.
Gen Z especially cares about the environment, with 55% of them saying they will pay higher prices for products and services from companies that are committed to a positive social impact.”
In addition to sustainable development and environmental impact, young consumers are also looking for pet foods that provide pets with superior taste and quality experience, and are labeled with healthy, natural ingredients. Pet parents are also seeking the convenience of convenient and easy-to-use packaging.
Pet food packaging situation right now:
According to the report “Pet Food Packaging Market – Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2022-2026)”, the pet food packaging market is valued at USD 10.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 12.9 billion by 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 7.74% during the forecast period (2022-2026). With pet owners wanting more protective, informative, and tasteful packaging, manufacturers are pushing to improve labeling, and produce more intelligent pet food packaging.
Packaging is playing a key role in the strong growth of the pet food industry, especially when it comes to premium products. The bag or container allows manufacturers to stand out from dog and cat owners who want sustainable options, personalized pet diets, and even human-friendly ingredients.
Trends to pet food packaging in the future
# Sustainable development
The sustainable development of pet food is not only the sustainability of its ingredients-packaging plays a key role in the environmental characteristics of products. According to a Mintel survey, 29% of American adults between the ages of 18 and 22 said they specifically bought environmentally friendly products.
Using intelligent design and material selection, there are several ways to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Look for packaging that is lightweight and usually uses less material. In addition, ensure that these materials come from renewable and sustainable sources, such as cardboard made from responsible forests or plastics made from plants such as sugar cane.
The most important sustainability aspect of pet food packaging is its ability to protect our delicious and healthy products from exposure. Package designers have created a variety of protection methods, like sterile or cooking cartons which can extend shelf life without refrigeration!
From the moment you purchase your dog or cat food, it’s important to think about how long its packaging will last. The best brands not only use recycled paper but also package their products in biodegradable containers so they can be easily broken down by bacteria during waste treatment processes without blocking any other steps along this journey.
# Taste and quality
With the growing concern for food safety, quality, and taste in pets many pet parents are looking at what their animals prefer when it comes to feeding time. Four out of ten dog owners will take into consideration how well-tasting an ingredient is before choosing which brand makes up their dinner plans; however, this trend doesn’t seem quite so important among cat foods buyers with 31%.
As further evidence of taste trends, pet food toppings or broths have become a growing part of the pet food industry, and currently, 12% of American cat and dog owners buy these foods. Mintel’s research shows that adding a bowler hat to dry or wet food can customize the diet experience for pets and can increase nutritional value.
Many pet parents are looking for organic and natural ingredients in their animals’ food. The rise of these “free” claims on the label has consumers excited about buying more vegetarian-based foods, which accounts for nearly 29% growth from last year alone.
# Label
Clean labeling is another area where pet food trends strongly reflect human food trends. The trend in cleaning labels is to list short, easy-to-understand ingredients on the label. In 2022, 75% of American consumers agreed that the fewer ingredients in food, the healthier; according to a survey, nearly 50% said they prefer foods without artificial additives.
What’s more, many pet owners want their dog or cat food to highlight real meat as its first ingredient. A recent survey found that 40% of dogs and 35 percent of cats are buying diets based on this factor alone.”
# Flexible packaging
Flexible packaging, such as single-serve or convenience-sized food pouches can be customized to hold different products and are portable. They also help keep the product fresh giving it longer shelf life.
Not only does flexible packaging offer a safe barrier for pet food but it also eliminates waste due to its all-in-one nature.
New Packaging Styles to the U.S. Market
Flexible pet food packaging, like stand pouches for pet treats and big bags for dog food, is still a relatively new concept in the United States. Traditionally, animal feed and associated products have been packaged in large boxes, flimsy bags, or rigid canisters. New developments overseas have pushed flexible packaging to the forefront, making it the preferred choice for highly influential modern brands across the globe. Companies that utilize intriguing, fashionable packaging that is sleek and highly functional are drawing in new customers and reshaping the marketplace in exciting ways.
We’re seeing more and more pet businesses using unique packaging styles for their food and treats because they stand out from the competition and draw in consumers. Many people are now feeding smaller breeds of dogs and cats, which means companies need to pay extra attention when designing their packaging. Trade shows have seen an increase in this trend as well; single-use feasts for these pets come with a package that can easily be stored or thrown away after use. New pouch styles can be custom-tailored to fit nearly any size product while keeping air out, prolonging the shelf life and freshness of the food inside. Utilizing these inventive types of all-in-one packaging cuts down on extraneous waste while providing a strong but pliable barrier that maintains the quality and integrity of the pet food.
Why Pet Food Packaging Design Can Make or Break Your Brand’s Success
Pet food packaging design trends closely mirror those we see in “human food” categories. Demand for healthier and more sustainable options is driving change in the food packaging industry as a whole, and pet owners tend to include their pets in the healthier, more environmentally friendly food purchasing decisions they make on behalf of their families. They want their pet food to be “just as good” as the food they eat.
These decisions are most often made on the spot while standing in front of a supermarket shelf, so packaging design makes all the difference between your product being put in the cart or not.
Here are some of the top strategic questions that inform our customers’ pet food packaging designs:
– Is the package safe, with excellent shelf stability and barrier control? The structural design of your pet food packaging is as important as its aesthetic to keep pets safe and avoid damaging recalls.
– Is the package convenient? Will consumers easily be able to carry it home and effectively reseal it from first use to end-of-life?
– Does the structural design of your pet food packaging enable easier and more cost-effective transportation and warehousing?
– Is the package sustainable—either recyclable or fully biodegradable?
These years, we’ve seen a healthy growth trajectory in premium pet food. This is an indication of greater opportunity and competition for manufacturers- with one major difference between brands being their packaging design.
Conclusion:
The entire pet food packaging industry has undergone several much-needed changes in the last few years, and adhering to new regulations, upholding standards of quality, and working with pet products companies to best market and reflect their brands via their product’s container has propelled the marketplace into an exciting new direction.
The packaging is no longer regarded as an afterthought, and suppliers of innovative package solutions have become an integral part of a business partnership and team. Your product’s package is the first thing people see, after all, so whether you’re at a trade show, conference, demo booth, investors’ meeting, or in a store aisle, becoming a leader in reshaping the world of pets begins with staying up to date on the latest trends, technologies, and strategies for successfully selling your pet products.
About PrimePac
At PrimePac, we bring together design experts and brand innovators to create fresh ideas, customized packages, and fully efficient processes.
We design creative packaging solutions that cater to a diverse global audience with the in-house knowledge and network of experienced professionals to meet the demands of every type of client.
From our dedicated sales team and warehouse staff in the UK to the experts at our production facilities in China, all of our employees are guided by four core values at the heart of our business: integrity, innovation, passion, and engagement.
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With our team in China and UK working as one, we reduce inefficiency so that you deal with one streamlined team from manufacturing right to delivery.
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