Pet food manufacturer Royal Canin opened Asia’s second largest fully operational packaging plant at Bhiwandi, about 50 km from Bombay, at an investment of ₹100 crore last week, the French company said in a press release. The state-of-the-art packaging centre, marking Royal Canin’s maiden venture in India, is equipped with automatic packing machines and essential utilities to convert bulk products into retail packs tailored to meet the requirements of Indian pet owners, the company said.
The Indian pet care industry is currently valued at $700 million, or ₹5,600 crore, making it a significant market for Royal Canin and other pet food manufacturers. The establishment of the packaging centre is the culmination of a memorandum of understanding inked between Royal Canin and the Government of Maharashtra in April 2023. Pedigree, a rival brand owned by U.S. corporation Mars, already has a packaging plant in India, in Hyderabad, Telangana.
With the new packaging plant becoming operational, pet owners will hope that availability and cost-effectiveness of the pet food known popularly as RC (not to be confused with a brand of Indian-made whisky) will improve in the country. Prices across pet food brands have shot up since the pandemic and with the implementation of the goods and services tax. Supplies of imported products have also been erratic at times with consignments being held up for customs clearance, pet store owners said.
While focusing on serving the domestic market, the company also hinted at the potential for future exports from the facility.
Cecile Coutens, global president of Royal Canin, emphasized India’s importance as one of the fastest growing pet care markets globally, with a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 15%. She underscored the evolving preferences of pet owners, who prioritize the health and well-being of their pets, driving demand for high-quality nutrition and care products.
With a presence in over 120 countries, Royal Canin operates 16 factories, two pet centres, one research and development centre, and seven laboratories worldwide. The launch of the packaging centre in India marks the brand’s 17th such facility in its manufacturing network, aimed at enhancing its supply chain capabilities and furthering its commitment to serving pet owners and pets across the country.
Royal Canin was founded in 1968 by French veterinarian Jean Cathary whose practice led him to believe that food affects the health of pets and better food could be the way to better health.
