Vol 2: May 2005
UMass Dartmouth Center for Business Research
Pet Food Study
A newly released study by the UMass Dartmouth Center for Business Research discovered that the pet food industry could be the next big market for the Massachusetts cranberry growers. The pet food industry is expected to grow an astonishing 15% in the next three years making it a $17 billion market. Currently the natural and organic pet food market is only a small part of the industry, but it has an enormous growth potential, growing 65% just last year.
The Center for Business Research interviewed 42 out of the 93 pet food manufacturers in the country and found that 38 of those interviewed already use cranberries in their products. It was revealed that cranberries are becoming a major part in this industry as health-conscious owners are demanding a wider array of health food options for their pets. Cranberries, long known to help lower the risk of urinary tract infections in humans, are being advertised as having similar benefits for cats and dogs. Pet food manufacturers are witnessing this growing health-consciousness trend in pet owners and they are promoting cranberry products to satisfy the wants of pet owners. However, there remains to be little scientific evidence that cranberries provide the same health benefits in cats and dogs as they do in humans. Moreover, 86% of the pet food manufacturers who do not use cranberries responded that they would if the research being done showed that the same benefits are present for dogs and cats.
The Center for Business Research Pet Food Study recommended that the cranberry industry help support research being done and encourage new research to learn the benefits that animals can acquire through including cranberries in their diet. As more research on this matter is still underway, pet owners will continue to demand healthier food for their pets and the cranberry industry is in a great position to offer just that. This study was funded by the UMass Dartmouth Cranberry Research Institute and was prepared by the Center’s Director, Dr. Nora Ganim Barnes, and completed with the help of her senior research associate, Ava Lescault, and three graduate students.
Kelly Faidell
University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA 02747
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