Lider Petfood, United Petfood acquire Kırklareli facility to expand production and exports

TURKIYE – Turkey’s pet food sector is entering a new phase of capacity expansion and export positioning, as Lider Petfood, Turkey’s leading pet food manufacturer and exporter, and Belgium-based pet food producer, United Petfood, acquire a dry pet food facility in Kırklareli, strengthening production and access to European markets.

The companies announced on March 27, 2026, that they had purchased the state-of-the-art facility from Maya Family, in a move aimed at scaling output and meeting rising demand both domestically and internationally. 

The site spans more than 30,000 square metres and is equipped with advanced processing technologies designed to support high-efficiency dry pet food production.

The acquisition comes as Turkey’s pet food market continues to grow, driven by rising pet ownership, premiumisation trends, and export opportunities into Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. 

The Kırklareli facility’s proximity to Istanbul and its position as a logistical gateway to Eastern Europe are expected to reduce delivery times and improve cost efficiency across export operations.

For Lider Petfood, the investment builds on an existing manufacturing footprint that includes dry pet food plants in Manisa and Salihli, as well as a wet pet food facility commissioned in 2025. 

The integration with United Petfood’s operations is expected to accelerate production scaling and align product standards with European market requirements.

The companies said the acquisition represents a key milestone in their 2026 growth strategy, with plans to expand both production capacity and product range to strengthen their position in export markets.

Market outlook and regional expansion

The deal reflects a broader shift across the global pet food industry, where manufacturers are investing in regional production hubs to improve supply chain resilience and respond faster to demand. 

In Europe and neighbouring regions, proximity to key markets has become increasingly important amid rising logistics costs and supply chain disruptions.

Turkey is emerging as a strategic production base due to its geographic position between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, competitive manufacturing costs, and a growing domestic market. 

For international players like United Petfood, partnerships and acquisitions in Turkey provide access to both established European markets and high-growth regions in MEA.

Similar expansion strategies have been observed globally. In the United States, Nestlé Purina recently began operations at a US$550 million pet food facility in Ohio, designed to supply millions of pets annually and improve manufacturing flexibility. 

Across emerging markets, companies are also investing in local production to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen distribution networks.

At the same time, innovation across the pet care ecosystem is accelerating. 

Corporate venture initiatives such as Purina’s Pet Care Innovation Prize continue to support startups developing new nutrition formats, health solutions and digital tools, signalling a shift toward more advanced and differentiated pet food products.

Within this context, the Kırklareli acquisition positions Lider Petfood and United Petfood to capture growth opportunities across multiple regions while strengthening their competitiveness in an increasingly globalised and innovation-driven pet food market.

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