The pet food industry already accounts for 92% of the Ecuadorian market.

The Ecuadorian Animal Nutrition Committee (CENMA) presented an overview of 2025 and the main challenges that will mark the sector's agenda in 2026, with an emphasis on responsible nutrition, technical quality, and information for families with pets.

One of the milestones highlighted by the sector was the exemption from VAT (Value Added Tax) on pet food, in effect since February 1, 2025. The sector points out that the measure has eased the burden on thousands of families and strengthened the competitiveness of the formal market.

In terms of production, the sector has a capacity of 142,000 tons and supplies approximately 92% of the domestic market, with its offer focused mainly on products for dogs and cats. The industry also generates more than 4,500 direct and indirect jobs, including those in the areas of production, logistics, distribution, and retail.

In the area of consumer information, CENMA detailed that, during 2025, it promoted educational content and actions on criteria for choosing balanced pet foods, understanding labels, technological advances in nutrition, risks of smuggling, and warnings about food practices without technical support, such as poorly implemented raw BARF diets.

Until 2026, the Committee proposes a roadmap that prioritizes regulatory updates, strengthening labeling and controls, promoting good practices for innovation and sustainability, and educating responsible pet owners, in a context of more informed and demanding consumers.

The industry's interpretation is that the year opens up opportunities to consolidate Ecuador as a regional leader in animal nutrition, provided that quality standards, clear rules, and shared responsibility among pet owners are maintained.