After Two Years of Covid-induced hiatus, the World Pet Market has re-energized.
Participating at Interzoo 2022 was special for more than one reason for many of us. In last few years, we have been exhibiting at Interzoo but we never faced visa situation as it was this year. Our endeavour equalled any nail-biting Hollywood thriller. Visas arrived at our doorstep just two days before the travel date. We went through a mixed feeling of losing money on air tickets, hotels, and stalls to losing out on the biggest pet fair happening after 2 years.
It was truly a global pet event with Pavilions from UK, USA, France, Brazil, Czech Republic, and many more. The importance pet companies attach to the event is immense! Companies participate individually from the length and breadth of the world. Pet professionals visit the show in abundance. Thus, Interzoo is an excellent platform to connect, reconnect, and network with businesses from different parts of the world.
It would be a dream come true to organize an Indian Pavilion at this event. With new entrepreneurs in the Indian pet space increasing, this soon could be a possibility. As a Pavilion, a country is highlighted and promoted by the organizer. I think it would be of great significance if a number of Indian companies come together to represent India.
The variety of products on display by Indian companies was impressive. We are no longer ‘a land of steel and leather products’; we have many more innovative products.
Pawfect Pet Foods Pvt. Ltd. had refreshing product lines and they were natural and preservatives free.
Shivam Polymer had organic rubber toys for the world market. In general, we are all aware of the growing popularity of organic products.
There was on display a fair number of tech-led products providing pet parenting solutions. Skymee had displayed a pet feeding series fitted with HD camera, night vision, smart speaker assistant, and interactive feeding with the help of an App.
Vraco Distribution showcased the innovation of self service pet food dispensing machines. The thought behind this product is to reduce the cost of pet food, carbon food print, and offer a 24X7 service. The inclusion of Insect protein in the pet industry has been increasing steadily. Tene Trio, a company based in Germany was one of the first ones to venture into pet food with insect based protein. The products are free from flavour enhancers, colours, and additives.
Tremendous interest in the Indian pet market could be seen like never before! International companies, considering what is going on in the world, have started looking at India seriously. India is today the second fastest growing pet market in the world with a huge growth potential waiting to be utilized. An international pet food company confirmed under anonymity that they are in the process of setting up a subsidiary in India.
In coming years, we would see more international brands entering the Indian pet market.
Tough visa process, however, did not deter Indian visitors. We met a score of Indian Pet Business owners visiting the fair.
Despite fear of Covid, Interzoo did not disappoint exhibitors or visitors. It is not an easy task to organize an international event in times like these.
We are now gearing up for IIPTF 2022 in Mumbai and Zoomark 2023 in Bologna.