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Jul 21, 2023

Pet food plants grew 2017 to 2022; Pennsylvania tops

While dog and cat food manufacturing facilities can be found in most regions of the United States, some states have significantly more than others. Dog, cat and other pet food manufacturing plants

While dog and cat food manufacturing facilities can be found in most regions of the United States, some states have significantly more than others.

Dog, cat and other pet food manufacturing plants increased numerically between 2017 and 2022. While these dog and cat food manufacturing facilities can be found in most regions of the United States, some states have significantly more than others. Likewise, the distribution of ingredient processing facilities also tends to cluster in certain areas. The American Feed Industry Association’s report “Economic Contribution of the Animal Feed and Pet Food Manufacturing Industries” documented and explored the pet food industry’s distribution around the United States.

The number of pet food production facilities in the United States grew from 514 in 2017 to 523 in 2022, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration data. However, that growth wasn’t evenly distributed. Although 17 states gained facilities, 16 states lost them, while 17 states kept the same number of facilities.

“Pennsylvania retained the most facilities even after losing 13,” AFIA analysts wrote. “Michigan lost one facility, while the remaining top five states all saw increases. Minnesota and California were in the top five in 2017, but lost four and five facilities respectively, moving them out of the top five in 2022.”

In 2022, U.S. pet food makers used 6.4 million tons of ingredients. Texas processes the largest quantity of these ingredients with 442,049 tons. California, Florida, New York and Ohio followed to round out the top five pet food ingredient-producing states.

“There are four states that handle more than 200,000 tons of pet food, 12 states that handle 100,000 tons to 200,000 tons of pet food, 14 states that handle 50,000 tons to 100,000 tons of pet food, and 20 states handle less than 50,000 tons of pet food,” AFIA analysts wrote.

Meats, poultry and fish products were the most used ingredients in pet foods. These animal products were followed by animal proteins, corn, other plant proteins, soybean meal, other grains, fats and oils, other ingredients and dried distillers grains.