Nestle Purina, the pet food division of Swiss food group Nestle, is investing CHF 520 million ($580 million) in a new wet pet food plant and integrated logistics platform in Mantova, Italy. Starting operations in 2029, the facility will produce super-premium wet pet food for cats and dogs to meet growing demand across Europe.
The investment will bring the number of Purina production sites in Europe to 15, serving an estimated population of around 111 million cats and 91 million dogs across Europe. The facility will feature a logistics platform designed to serve retail customers more efficiently, support more sustainable transport flows and strengthen supply chain resilience for Purina products as well as other Nestle categories.
Commenting on the investment, CEO of Nestle Purina PetCare Europe Rafael Lopez said: “Petcare is one of Nestle’s four focus businesses, and this investment is a clear signal of our continued growth ambition for the category. Super-premium wet pet food is particularly attractive right now. It offers a variety of textures and sensory experiences combined with great nutrition for dogs and cats, all things that people are looking for as they welcome pets into the heart of their families.”
Petcare accounts for 29% of Nestle sales in Zone Europe and 21% of the group’s global sales. The investment in Mantova follows Nestle’s announcement earlier this year of a CHF 370 million ($410 million) investment in a wet pet food factory in Brazil.
Source: Nestle
