Nestlé invests US$194M in Thailand pet food expansion

THAILAND – Nestlé is investing more than CHF157 million (US$194 million) to expand pet food and pet treat production in Thailand, strengthening production for its Purina brands and supporting growing demand for pet nutrition across Asia, Oceania and Africa.

The investment will expand production at Nestlé’s Purina manufacturing site in Rayong for the Felix, Friskies, Pro Plan and Purina One brands, serving both domestic and international markets.

The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) has approved investment promotion for two Nestlé (Thai) projects at the Amata City Rayong Industrial Estate. Around 4.5 billion baht (US$140 million) will be invested in pet food manufacturing, while 1.93 billion baht (US$60 million) will support pet treat production.

More than 90% of output from the two projects is expected to be exported to markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Nestlé said the expansion reflects confidence in the long-term growth of pet food, with rising pet ownership and increasing demand for packaged, premium and specialised pet nutrition across AOA.

“Pet food is one of Nestlé’s most dynamic segments globally, accounting for around 21% of Group sales. This investment reflects our confidence in its long-term potential across Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA) as well as the rest of the world,” said Remy Ejel, CEO of Nestlé Zone AOA.

Thailand strengthens global pet food position

Thailand has become an important production base for Nestlé’s Purina business, with its manufacturing operations linked to local agricultural suppliers and international export markets.

The investment comes as Thailand’s pet food exports continue to expand.

In 2024, the country exported US$2.67 billion worth of pet food, up 29% year on year, making Thailand the world’s second-largest pet food exporter behind Germany.

In the first seven months of 2025, exports of dog and cat food reached another US$1.68 billion.

The country also has more than 80 pet food factories, many of which operate as original equipment manufacturers for international brands, supporting an established manufacturing and export ecosystem.

Nestlé’s expansion will further position Thailand as a production and export base for Purina while connecting local agricultural and ingredient suppliers with international pet food markets.

Investment strengthens local ingredient demand

The projects will also increase demand for locally sourced agricultural and feed-related inputs.

The pet food manufacturing projects for Felix, Pro Plan and Friskies are expected to use around 56% locally sourced inputs, including chicken, sardines, vegetables, oils, vitamins and minerals.

The Purina One and Felix pet treat projects will use around 88% Thai-sourced materials, including chicken, sugar and tapioca starch.

Together, the projects are expected to use more than 450 million baht (US$14 million) of domestic raw materials annually.

Nestlé said the expanded production will use a high proportion of locally sourced raw materials, including poultry, fish and vegetables, supporting local suppliers and increasing value creation in Thailand.

The investment will therefore create additional demand for animal proteins, agricultural commodities and other ingredients while strengthening links between Thai suppliers and the global pet food value chain.

Hubert Wieser, CEO of Nestlé Purina Petcare, said rising pet ownership across AOA is driving demand for high-quality nutrition, with pets increasingly treated as members of the family.

“With over 350 million domestic cats and dogs across AOA as well as a pet population that continues to grow, demand for high-quality pet nutrition is also increasing,” Wieser said.

The Thailand expansion forms part of Nestlé’s wider investment in pet food manufacturing globally, following a CHF520 million (US$642 million) investment in a new pet food plant and logistics platform in Italy and a US$550 million investment in a new Purina factory in the United States.

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