VAFO invests US$16M in new Polish wet pet food facility

POLAND – VAFO Group, a leading European producer of superpremium pet food, has announced a €14 million (US$16.1 million) investment to establish a new wet pet food manufacturing facility in Poland, reinforcing its long-term growth strategy and expanding production capacity in one of Europe’s fastest-growing pet food markets.

The European superpremium pet food producer has acquired a former fish cannery site near the city of Słupsk and plans to convert it into a modern wet pet food factory focused on pouch production. 

The project forms part of the company’s VAFO 2030 strategy, which prioritises expansion in the wet pet food segment as consumer demand continues to shift toward premium and convenience-oriented pet nutrition products.

Operations at the facility are expected to begin by the end of 2027. 

Once fully operational, the plant will have an annual production capacity of up to 100 million wet pet food pouches and create approximately 50 new jobs.

The investment reflects the continued growth of the global pet food industry, particularly in the premium nutrition segment, where demand for high-quality wet food products has risen significantly in recent years. 

Pet owners are increasingly seeking products that offer enhanced palatability, nutritional value and convenience, driving investment in new manufacturing capacity across Europe.

Expansion strengthens European pet food footprint

The new facility will be developed on a 12-hectare site located about 10 kilometres from Słupsk and approximately 120 kilometres from the Port of Gdynia, providing access to one of the region’s key logistics gateways.

VAFO said the location also benefits from its proximity to Carry Pet Food, a company within the group that specialises in hand-made dog chew bones and currently operates as the only manufacturer of its kind in the European Union.

Production at the new plant will include both VAFO-owned brands and private-label products for international customers, supporting the company’s efforts to strengthen its presence in European and export markets.

Sustainability is expected to be a central feature of the project. 

According to the company, the facility will incorporate energy-efficient technologies with a strong focus on energy recovery and reducing environmental impact.

The investment follows VAFO’s recent acquisition of one of Poland’s largest pet food distributors, further strengthening the company’s position in the country. 

Together, the acquisitions and manufacturing investments form part of a broader strategy to build an integrated platform that combines production, distribution, and customer engagement across key European markets.

Industry analysts note that continued investment in wet pet food manufacturing reflects changing consumer preferences and growing demand for premium pet nutrition products. 

As pet ownership increases and spending on companion animal care rises, manufacturers are expanding capacity to meet demand while improving operational efficiency and sustainability.

For VAFO, the new facility represents another step toward achieving its long-term growth ambitions while strengthening its position in the increasingly competitive European pet food market.

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