HK Section 2

SECTION I. SITUATION AND OUTLOOK Note: For the purpose of this report, unless otherwise stated, pet food refers to dog and cat food for retail sales (H.S. Code: 2309.10). In 2025, Hong Kong’s global pet food imports declined by 6.5 percent year-on-year to $142 million, reflecting weaker domestic demand, a declining dog population, and greater consumer price sensitivity amid rising living costs. Despite these challenges, U.S. pet food continues to enjoy a strong reputation in Hong Kong for quality, ingredient transparency, and advanced production standards. After several years of decline, U.S. exports to Hong Kong rebounded in 2025 to approximately $28 million, a 6.6 percent increase from the previous year. Competition from regional suppliers such as Thailand, Taiwan, and mainland China has intensified, particularly in lower-priced segments of the market. However, demand for premium, organic, specialized, and novel-protein pet food products continues to create opportunities for U.S. exporters, as Hong Kong consumers often associate U.S.-origin products with higher safety and quality standards. Market opportunities are particularly strong in the premium and functional pet food categories, including products targeting specific health conditions, life stages, or dietary needs. Hong Kong’s pet food retail market reached $778 million in 2025, representing a modest increase from $761 million in 2024. Dog and cat food accounted for 99.7 percent of total pet food sales, while other pet food products represented only a small share of the market. Although overall growth has slowed in recent years, premiumization continues to drive value growth as pet owners increasingly view pets as family members and are willing to spend more on higher-quality nutrition and specialized products. Hong Kong’s role as a regional trading hub also provides indirect opportunities for U.S. exporters, as imported pet food is frequently re-exported to neighboring markets, including mainland China. Looking ahead, continued growth in premium pet food consumption and projected expansion of Hong Kong’s pet care market—expected to reach $854 million by 2030—should support steady demand for high-quality imported products. Consumer and trade pet exhibitions, such as the Hong Kong Pet Show, also provide a platform for U.S. brands to introduce new products and expand market presence. SECTION II. PET FOOD TRADE (A)