Finnish pet food production more than doubles in five years

Finland produced more than twice as much pet food in 2025 as it did five years earlier, Yle reports. Production reached 36.4 million kilograms, while imports totalled about 68 million kilograms.

The Finnish Food Authority, which oversees feed control, says the range of pet food made in Finland has changed in recent years. Domestic production of dry dog food began about six years ago; previously, Finnish manufacturers had not made it. The country has traditionally produced raw and fresh food, canned food and dried or roasted products.

Nearly a third of Finnish-made pet food was exported last year, amounting to about 10 million kilograms. The share of pet food supplied by domestic production has risen close to one-third, according to the article.

Fresh food is currently a growing trend in the dog food market, says Tommy Dolivo, chief executive of Best-In, a pet food factory in Seinäjoki. Fresh food must be kept refrigerated and has a shorter shelf life than canned or dry food. Its meat mixture is cooked at about 95 degrees Celsius, compared with more than 110 degrees for canned food. Dolivo says the lower temperature helps retain nutrients.

Snellman Petfood chief executive Magnus Pettersson has also seen dog owners diversify how they feed their pets, combining kibble with fresh and raw food. The company opened a new production plant in Pedersöre, in Ostrobothnia, which will increase its weekly capacity by half, from about 200,000 kilograms to more than 300,000. Its revenue has grown by nearly a fifth, and Pettersson expects further growth. He puts Finland’s raw pet food market at about 30 million kilograms a year.

Both Best-In and Snellman Petfood began as businesses alongside meat processing. Best-In was established in connection with the Lihakunta cooperative slaughterhouse in Kuopio. Atria later sold the operation to Seinäjoki-based family company Save Logistiikka, and production moved from Kuopio to Seinäjoki. Snellman Petfood separated from Snellman Meat Processing in May.

The two companies focus on raw and fresh food and dried treats. Unlike kibble, which is made from a mixture, dried treats are made from whole meat. Dolivo says demand for domestic products has helped increase Best-In’s production of dried goods. The company also makes products under contract, including for a Danish dog food brand, and is seeking growth beyond Finland.

Retailers have also reported rising demand for pet food. Hankkija says its sales have increased over the past five to 10 years.