Kormotech expands Bulgaria presence through partnership with Petmall

BULGARIA – Ukrainian pet food manufacturer Kormotech has entered a strategic partnership with Petmall, Bulgaria’s largest online pet supply retailer, expanding its eight-year presence in the country’s growing pet food market. 

The agreement will make Kormotech’s brands available across Petmall’s 17 brick-and-mortar stores and its e-commerce platform.

“Through this partnership, Kormotech’s full range of brands, Optimeal, Club 4 Paws, My Love, and Delickcious, including both wet and dry recipes, will now be available both online and offline across Petmall’s growing network,” the Ukrainian company said in a statement. 

The pet food giant added that Bulgarian pet families have already trusted Kormotech’s products for over eight years, and this expanded collaboration will make premium-quality nutrition even more accessible for pets across the country.

Growth in Bulgarian market

The Bulgarian pet food market is on an upward trajectory, with revenues nearing €101.65 million (US$119.2 million) and projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.32% between 2025 and 2029, according to Kormotech. 

Petmall, which currently operates 17 physical stores, plans to open eight more locations within the next 18 months, extending its reach across Bulgaria.

“We aim to become one of the top three players in Bulgaria within the next three to four years,” said Yuri Bykoriz, managing director for Central-Eastern Europe at Kormotech.

Expansion despite challenges

Kormotech has continued its international expansion despite the disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In December 2024, the company secured a financing package from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support exports and geographical diversification.

The funds will help build a second production facility in Lithuania at a cost of €63 million (US$67 million). The 19,500-square-meter plant will include production, warehousing, and office space, tripling Kormotech’s capacity in the country from 22,000 to 60,000 tonnes annually.

Wider global footprint

Beyond Europe, Kormotech has also expanded its global reach. Earlier this year, the company entered Qatar and Nigeria, pushing its presence to 46 countries worldwide and cementing its place among the top 50 global pet food producers.

In Qatar, the company introduced Club 4 Paws cat food, while in Nigeria, both cat and dog food under the same brand were launched. 

The Middle East and Africa region has become a strategic priority for Kormotech since 2019, with sales there growing tenfold in five years. Currently, the company supplies about 1,065 tonnes of pet food annually to the region.

Kormotech has adapted its products to local preferences, expanding flavor options with chicken, lamb, and fish while focusing on natural ingredients, vitamins, and functional additives. This strategy is aimed at meeting the expectations of increasingly health-conscious pet owners.

The company’s broader corporate goal is to grow annual sales to around US$500 million by 2028, consolidating its position as a leading player in global pet nutrition.

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