The PETZOO Eurasia Fair was held at the Istanbul Fuar Merkezi, covering an area of 18,000 square meters, with the participation of nearly 1,000 brands, hundreds of manufacturers, and 30 companies from 21 countries. PETZOO Eurasia, offering unique opportunities for companies wishing to enter the international market and establish global partnerships, hosted a total of 50,000 visitors from around 120 countries, including those from Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Far East.
At the fair, the latest products and services for various types of pets, from cats to dogs, birds to fish, were showcased. Visitors were presented with a wide range of products such as pet food, feed, toys, grooming, cosmetics and care products, health-supporting items, cat litter, aquariums, cleaning materials, and specially designed clothes and accessories for pets.
Highlighting the rapid growth of the pet products sector in recent years, General Manager of Ulusal Fuarcılık, Selçuk Çetin, said: “The pet products sector has shown tremendous growth in recent years. With a 150% growth over the last five years, it has become a $250 billion market. This year, we hosted visitors from over 120 countries at Petzoo Eurasia. These figures demonstrate how global our sector has become and the potential Turkey has in this field. Nearly 1,000 companies and brands showcased their products and services to visitors at the fair.”
Expressing that 98% of the participating companies were very satisfied with this year's fair, Çetin stated: “By anticipating the demand for our fair, we have already started preparations for PETZOO Eurasia 2024, which will be held from October 9-12 at Istanbul Fuar Merkezi in halls 1 and 3, covering an area of 30,000 square meters.”
Turkey to Become a Global Brand in the Pet
Sector
Çetin emphasized that the growth of the sector is not limited to the domestic market but also has a significant impact on the international market. He said: “Thanks to the investments and innovations of Turkish companies, the Turkish pet sector appeals not only to local consumers but also to customers worldwide. This shows that the Turkish pet products sector is competitive on an international level and is a global player. The participation of international professional visitors and purchasing delegations was also high. I believe these visitors contribute to the international promotion and growth of the Turkish pet products sector.”
Highlighting that the sector has reached a significant size in terms of total consumer spending, Çetin noted: “The sector, which is approaching $1 billion in total consumer spending, generates $250 million from exports. Our industrialization drive continues to grow day by day. In our sector, which exports pet food to 70 countries and cat litter to 65 countries, approximately 600 companies are operating. Our sector will increase its exports to $400 million by the end of 2023 by seeking new markets. I believe that in the near future, we will become a brand country in the pet sector and a major industry.”
Events Marked the Fair
The PETZOO Eurasia Fair, which attracted great interest from visitors, hosted a series of exciting events for pet lovers. One of the most notable events was the "Pet Fashion Show," held for the first time in Turkey. Different types of dogs, accompanied by their owners, presented an unforgettable fashion show experience to the fair visitors.
Throughout the fair, informative demonstrations were held on the latest dog grooming, decoration, and training techniques. This year's fair had a rich educational and demonstration program, including obedience, frisbee and trick shows, breed parades, and seminars by specialized speakers.
The cat beauty contest organized by the Miyav Kedileri Koruma Derneği was among the standout events of the fair. Additionally, champions were determined based on the breed characteristics of chickens and roosters in the competition organized by the Avrasya Süs Hayvanları Yetiştiricileri Derneği.
“PETZOO Eurasia Awards” Found Their Owners
The “PETZOO Eurasia Awards” ceremony, aimed at promoting pet adoption, increasing material production in the sector, and bringing the achievements of the business world and civil society to a wider audience, was held on October 13 at Wow Istanbul Hotel, organized by Ulusal Fuarcılık and with contributions from Türkiye’de İş Dünyası Dergisi. Industry professionals, experts, academics, and civil society leaders attended the award night.
Leaders in 13 categories, including innovation, design, export, and investment, received their awards. Additionally, companies supporting the continuity of the PETZOO Eurasia Fair were given the "Fuar Süreklilik Ödülü," and nine personnel who had worked in the pet industry for at least 20 years were awarded the "Pet Industry Best Staff" plaque.