As we step into 2025, we’re building on the successes of a productive 2024. At C&D Foods, our focus remains on delivering value for our customers and supporting pet owners across Europe. Before diving into the opportunities ahead, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the achievements and milestones that defined the past year.

The European pet food market remains active and resilient, with value growth continuing to surpass flat volume trends, albeit at a slower pace. Premiumisation and humanisation remain key drivers, as pet owners increasingly prioritise high-quality, health-oriented options.

E-commerce is reshaping the landscape, with subscription services and home delivery driving convenience, while demand for functional and natural ingredients fuels innovation in minimally processed, health-conscious products. Sustainability is also a core focus, as eco-friendly packaging and responsible sourcing practices are now integral to consumer expectations.

As an exhibitor at the Interzoo exhibition in Nuremberg last May, we explored the latest innovations in pet food and pet care trends across Europe. We also shared our approach to delivering pet food formulas aligned with our customers’ strategic goals and the needs of pet owners. It was a very busy and well-attended event, offering a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with customers and build new relationships with retailers and brands in our sector.

The exhibition highlighted the growing demand for premium and specialised pet food products, including grain-free, organic, and limited-ingredient options. Age-specific formulations, breed-specific diets, and foods tailored to health conditions – such as weight management and allergies – are also on the rise.

While attending Interzoo, we shared our excitement about the significant investments we’ve made in our production facilities. Over the past year, the €48m upgrade to our Edgeworthstown plant boosted production capacity by 25%. This expansion included new automated multi-packing and pouch filling lines, enabling us to increase manufacturing output, collaborate on more projects with existing customers, and engage with new partners.

The expansion also created around 100 new jobs at C&D Foods in Ireland, spanning roles in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality Assurance.

Alongside growing our team in Ireland, we invested in our people across Europe during 2024. Our graduate programme has brought ambitious new talent into C&D Foods across disciplines such as engineering and commercial, while internships and apprenticeships have further ensured we’re creating opportunities for the next generation of pet food professionals.

To help maximise the potential of our dedicated team, we also continued our focus on developing talent within the C&D Foods business through our Emerging Leaders programme. This initiative equips ambitious team members with the tools and knowledge they need to develop and progress their careers with us.

Not everything we achieved in 2024 was about products, business, or professional development, however; we also contributed to our communities across Europe and the UK with colleague events, donations to charitable initiatives, and supporting local communities hit by natural disasters.

With 2024 behind us, we’re excited for the opportunities ahead in 2025. We’re thrilled to be exhibiting again at Zoomark in Bologna this May, where we’ll connect with customers, share insights, and explore opportunities to support the pet food industry across Europe. As we look to the year ahead, our commitment to advising, supporting, and supplying our customers remains as strong as ever.