Pet Food Extrusion - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The pet food extrusion market size was valued at USD 84.60 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 89.70 billion in 2026 to USD 117.60 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.60% between 2026 and 2031. This report is Segmented by Pet Type (Dogs, Cats, Birds, Fish, and Small Mammals), by Product Form (Dry Kibble, Semi-Moist, Treats and Snacks, and Veterinary and Therapeutic Diets), by Extruder Configuration (Single-Screw and Twin-Screw), and by Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Pet Food Extrusion Market Trends and Insights

Premiumization Driving Higher-Throughput Extrusion Investments

Premium pet nutrition remains a key factor driving both volume and value growth in the pet food extrusion market. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet food products containing prebiotics and probiotics experienced significant growth in 2024, with 13% of dog owners and 12% of cat owners in the United States purchasing these products. The APPA further reported an approximately 18% year-on-year increase in spending on functional pet food, with average consumer spending rising by about USD 8 compared to the previous year. This trend has prompted pet food manufacturers to enhance extrusion lines to enable more precise micro-ingredient dosing, improved die-pressure control, and higher fresh-meat inclusion levels compared to traditional kibble production. Consequently, production-line flexibility has gained importance, as manufacturers prioritize systems capable of transitioning between standard and premium recipes with minimal equipment adjustments.

Veterinary and Therapeutic Diets Requiring Tighter Process Control

Veterinary and therapeutic diets impose stricter requirements on the pet food extrusion market compared to standard dry food. These products demand more precise starch gelatinization, narrower protein denaturation ranges, and greater batch uniformity, as their production is often tied to specific nutritional outcomes. A study published in the Animals journal in 2025 on the safety and digestibility of a novel ingredient highlighted the importance of reproducible processing and adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which drive the need for systems capable of documenting and replicating exact operating conditions. In this segment of the pet food extrusion market, the use of programmable logic controller (PLC)-based monitoring and digital recordkeeping is becoming standard, as validation and traceability are as critical as production throughput. Additionally, producers in this segment achieve faster capital recovery due to the higher margins associated with therapeutic diets compared to commodity kibble.

Protein and Cereal Input Volatility Compressing Processor Margins

Volatility in protein and cereal inputs continues to be a significant restraint on the pet food extrusion market. The production of dry pet food relies heavily on grain meals, edible oils, and protein-based agricultural ingredients, all of which are subject to fluctuating pricing patterns. Sudden shifts in cereal and oilseed markets create procurement uncertainties and reduce visibility into operating margins for extrusion processors. Smaller and mid-sized manufacturers are particularly vulnerable, as they often depend on spot purchasing rather than long-term supply agreements. This margin pressure can lead to delays in investments for additional extrusion capacity, equipment upgrades, and production-line expansions. Even when consumer demand remains steady, unstable raw material costs frequently hinder capital spending decisions across commercial pet food processing operations.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Clean-Label and Highly Digestible Kibble Demand
• Insect and Alternative Proteins Widening Formulation Needs
• Raw, Freeze-Dried, and Air-Dried Diets Competing with Kibble

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

The pet food extrusion market share for the dog segment accounted for the largest 49.2% in 2025. Dog nutrition continues to support the largest installed production base, as canine food products dominate industrial dry feed manufacturing and large-format kibble production globally. Standard dog food lines remain integral to equipment utilization, retrofit demand, and production-line replacement cycles. High-capacity systems are primarily designed for mainstream dog kibble and treat production in commercial pet food manufacturing facilities. Large integrated processors prioritize dog-focused production due to their ability to maintain consistent throughput utilization and achieve stronger economies of scale in mass-market pet food operations worldwide.

The pet food extrusion market size for the cats segment is projected to grow at the fastest 6.1% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. Cat nutrition is increasingly driving premiumization, as feline formulations require tighter process control, protein balancing, coating precision, and taurine supplementation compared to many dog food products. Additionally, smaller pet categories, including birds, fish, and small mammals, are creating specialized production opportunities. These categories demand unique density controls, die systems, and moisture-management configurations for floating feed, pelletized diets, and small-format extruded products within commercial pet food extrusion operations globally.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Pet Type
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Small Mammals
• By Product Form
  • Dry Kibble
  • Semi-Moist
  • Treats and Snacks
  • Veterinary and Therapeutic Diets
• By Extruder Configuration
  • Single-Screw
  • Twin-Screw
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Rest of North America
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • United Kingdom
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • Australia
    • Thailand
    • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  • Middle East
    • Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Turkey
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • Egypt
    • Nigeria
    • Rest of Africa

Geography Analysis

The pet food extrusion market share for North America held the largest 39.7% in 2025. The region remains a key production and consumption hub due to strong premiumization trends, advanced retail infrastructure, and a well-established manufacturing base. Investments in hygienic design, digital monitoring systems, and energy-efficient extrusion technologies further bolster the market. Major commercial manufacturers are focusing on retrofit programs and operational efficiency improvements at existing production facilities. Additionally, Canada and Mexico enhance the region's manufacturing capabilities through export-oriented dry food production and support for private-label pet food supply networks across North America.

The pet food extrusion market size for Asia-Pacific is forecast to expand at a 6.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. This growth is driven by increasing urbanization, rising premium pet ownership, and the expansion of organized retail across countries such as China, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Meanwhile, Europe maintains a significant manufacturing position, supported by stringent formulation standards, traceability requirements, and advanced processing capabilities. The region benefits from a dense production network and growing demand for premium, therapeutic, and alternative-protein pet food products. Investments in modern processing systems and hygienic extrusion infrastructure continue to drive global equipment demand within commercial pet food manufacturing operations.

South America, the Middle East, and Africa are smaller regional markets but are experiencing gradual growth due to increasing pet ownership and the expansion of modern retail channels. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, Brazil’s pet sector generated BRL 75.4 billion (USD 12.7 billion) in revenue in 2024, with industrialized pet food contributing 54.1% of the total sector revenue, amounting to BRL 40.8 billion (USD 6.8 billion). Thailand continues to serve as a significant export-oriented manufacturing hub in the Asia-Pacific region. These regions are projected to drive future demand for flexible, mid-scale extrusion systems as commercial pet food production becomes more formalized and the adoption of premium products grows in developing consumer markets.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Bühler Holding AG
• Andritz AG
• Clextral S.A.S. (Legris Industries)
• Wenger Manufacturing, Inc. (JBT Marel)
• Coperion GmbH (Hillenbrand, Inc.)
• CPM Holdings, Inc.
• Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG (KAHL Group)
• Famsun Co., Ltd.
• Triott Group B.V.
• IDAH Co., Ltd. (CPM Holdings, Inc.)
• Ottevanger Milling Engineers B.V. (Triott Group B.V.)
• The Bonnot Company
• Diamond America Corporation

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support