Demand for more creative products and services.

It's dubbed the biggest pet trading show in Asia, combining both a festival and a trade element. Yokohama's Japan Pet Fair runs from 26 March 2009 for four days at the Pacifico Yokohama centre - and could be a useful venue for Hong Kong suppliers interested in entering the growing market for more exotic products and services.

The whole business of pets has gone to a new level over recent years with the growing number of apartments that allows pets, the establishment of pet hotels and pet-friendly commercial facilities.

The Yano Research Institute reported that the pet related market jumped 2.9%, to US$1billion in 2006 compared to the previous fiscal year and kept increasing by 2.5% in 2007.

The best in dress and care.

Products at a fair in Fukuoka.

Due to the recent increase of the tendency of keeping pets indoors, pet owners are more conscious about their sanitary conditions, so pet supplies such as toiletry sheets, sandbox for cats, pre-moistened wipes and dental care products are in high demand.

There's also a trend towards keeping smaller pets so importing large quantities of pet food has decreased. However due to health-conscious pet owners, market demand has shifted to premium pet foods, increasing value sales.

Fashion and accessory items, supplements, grooming equipment, pet care products and treats for dogs have been particularly on the rise.

Better medical products.

Better medical attention.

Service-focused businesses are also expected to grow more popular among better-off consumers. Medical advances and better-balanced diets have pet cats and dogs enjoying longer lives. However, an increasing number of pets are suffering from cancer, Alzheimer's, obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases.

In order to take care of the pets, there is a growing demand for veterinary nursing care facilities. There's also a demand for counselling services and even pet training schools, so that they forge better relationships with their owners.

There's a unique mobile pet crematory service for when the loved pet dies - and it's attracting a new, fast-growing demand in Japan.

The market has a lot of room to expand, providing opportunity for Hong Kong companies that can provide pet owners with the care they desire for their animals.

from Miki Taguchi, Osaka Office

(Images courtesy of www.pethaku.com)