Pet Food Institute

What Pet Food Institute does

The Pet Food Institute (PFI) is a Washington, DC-based non-profit trade association founded in 1958 that serves as the collective voice of U.S. pet food and treat manufacturers. PFI represents 22 producer members — including Mars Petcare, Nestlé Purina, Hill's Pet Nutrition, J.M. Smucker, Cargill, Royal Canin, Freshpet, Champion Petfoods, and Diamond Pet Foods — whose combined operations produce roughly 10 million tons of dog and cat food annually across 33 states and employ approximately 30,000–36,000 people. The organization also serves associate members supplying goods and services to the pet food production ecosystem.

PFI's core offerings center on three pillars: (1) regulatory and legislative advocacy at the federal and state level, including direct engagement with Congress, FDA, USDA, EPA, AAFCO, and the U.S. Trade Representative; (2) export promotion via USDA's Market Access Program (active since 1993 across 11 markets and 19 countries) and the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, supported by in-country representatives, veterinary education, and the Market Tracker intelligence platform; and (3) consumer education through the Vet Talks video series, "How Pet Food Is Made" content, and label-reading resources. The organization is currently driving the Pet Food Label Modernization initiative and supporting the PURR Act (H.R.597).

PFI's revenue model is a hybrid of recurring membership dues from producer and associate members, plus USDA grant funding (MAP, RAPP, and FAS grants totaling roughly $5.1M disclosed across 2025–2026 cycles). The organization operates with a small direct staff (1–10 employees) and is governed by a board drawn from its member companies; in February 2026, Elise Fennig succeeded Dana Brooks as President and CEO.

Name

Pet Food Institute

Legal name

Pet Food Institute

Website

https://petfoodinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PFI is the 65-year-old Washington, DC-based non-profit trade association representing 22 U.S. pet food and treat manufacturers (including Mars, Purina, Hill's, Cargill). It delivers federal and state regulatory advocacy, USDA-funded export promotion across 19 countries, and consumer education to support the $68B U.S. pet food industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: PFI is funded through membership dues from pet food and treat producers as well as suppliers of goods and services supporting the pet food community. Producer Members manufacture commercially prepared dog and/or cat food and/or treats in the U.S.; Associate Members supply goods or services supporting pet food production.
2. USDA Market Access Program (MAP) funding: PFI receives USDA MAP grant funding for international market promotion activities. In 2026, PFI was awarded $1.35 million, requiring matching contributions of at least 35% from PFI and the industry. Every $1 invested in MAP generates more than $24 in U.S. agricultural exports.
3. USDA Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) funding: PFI received $1.65 million through RAPP to enhance market access in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, in addition to MAP funding.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pet Food Institute is a U.S. nonprofit trade association that represents U.S. dog and cat food and treat manufacturers through membership services. It delivers regulatory and legislative advocacy on pet food safety, labeling, and trade policy, runs the USDA-funded Market Access Program for export promotion across 19 countries, and produces consumer education content on pet nutrition, safety, and labeling for the U.S. pet-owning public.

Product overview

The Pet Food Institute (PFI) is a trade association representing U.S. pet food and treat manufacturers, not a product company with commercial offerings. The organization provides advocacy, regulatory guidance, and export promotion services. Key initiatives include the Market Access Program (active in 11 markets across 19 countries), Pet Food Label Modernization initiative, PURR Act advocacy, and educational resources including Market Tracker tool, Vet Talks video series, and 'How Pet Food Is Made' content. PFI membership comprises 22+ pet food producer companies (Alphia, Blue Buffalo, Champion Petfoods, Diamond, Freshpet, Hill's, Mars Petcare, Purina, Royal Canin, and others) and associate members supplying goods and services to the industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PFI Membership (Producer & Associate Members) Membership-based trade association services for U.S. pet food and treat manufacturers (Producer Members) and suppliers of goods and services to the industry (Associate Members). Provides regulatory and legislative advocacy, market access support, and industry representation.
• Market Access Program (MAP) USDA-funded export promotion program active in 11 markets across 19 countries (Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Mexico, Middle East, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan). Includes marketing, veterinary education, and rescue-group partnerships, supported by in-country representatives and awarded $1.35 million for 2026.
• Market Tracker

Quantifiable outcome

• PFI exports U.S. pet food worth $2.4 billion annually (2025), with products shipped to over 90 countries.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NARA (North American Renderers Association)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026PFI joined NARA and AFIA in applauding the passage of the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. This marks the first time the rendering industry has been formally included in a farm bill, with provisions affecting pet food ingredients.
• AFIA (American Feed Industry Association)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026PFI joined NARA and AFIA in applauding the passage of the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026, working together on sustainability provisions, workforce development, and food waste reporting requirements.
• Pet Sustainability CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026PFI has partnered as an allied affiliate for the 2026 Pet Food Processing Exchange event, scheduled for September 29 to October 1 in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Food Production Solutions AssociationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026PFI has partnered as an allied affiliate for the 2026 Pet Food Processing Exchange event.
• Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and AlliedsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026PFI has partnered as an allied affiliate for the 2026 Pet Food Processing Exchange event.
• USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993PFI has been a MAP cooperator since 1993, engaging in export promotion through USDA's Market Access Program. This partnership supports global promotion of U.S. agricultural goods, with PFI and the pet food industry providing matching contributions of at least 35%. USDA FAS provides global network connecting U.S. producers to U.S. agriculture worldwide.
• USDA Market Access Program (MAP) — Active in 19 CountriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFI is actively involved in two USDA FAS market access programs to increase and promote exports of U.S. pet food. Active markets include Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Mexico, Middle East (Israel, UAE), Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.
• Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFI is a founding member of GAPFA, which works to promote science-based standards for use in international trade and collaborates with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) to ensure safe export of pet food.
• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFI works with USDA APHIS and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to ensure science-based standards are at the forefront of trade negotiations with trading partners, supporting expansion and continued access to foreign markets.
• U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFI works with USTR to ensure science-based standards are at the forefront of trade negotiations, supporting expansion and continued access to foreign markets for U.S. pet food.
• USDA Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFI received $1.65 million through RAPP in 2025 to enhance market access in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, complementing the MAP program.
• World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAPFA, with PFI as a founding member, works with WOAH to ensure the safe export of pet food internationally.
• In-country Representatives (Brazil, China, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, etc.)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPFI works with local in-country representatives across 19 countries who carry out community events, educational campaigns, veterinary conferences, and media campaigns to promote U.S. pet food's safety, quality, and nutritional value.
• Veterinary Professionals and Associations (International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFI in-country representatives engage with veterinarians by attending professional conferences, partnering with local veterinary associations, and hosting specialized events featuring U.S.-based veterinarians who lead seminars on pet health and nutrition.
• Flexible Packaging AssociationminorOthersPFI joined a coalition of business groups including the Flexible Packaging Association, American Forest & Paper Association, California Restaurant Association, California Grocers Association, Snac International, and Print Creative Alliance filing a lawsuit against California's SB 343 recyclability labeling law.
• American Forest & Paper AssociationminorOthersPart of the coalition lawsuit against California's SB 343 recyclability labeling law, arguing it will not increase recycling and will cause consumer confusion.
• California Restaurant AssociationminorOthersPart of the coalition lawsuit against California's SB 343 recyclability labeling law.
• California Grocers AssociationminorOthersPart of the coalition lawsuit against California's SB 343 recyclability labeling law.
• Snac InternationalminorOthersPart of the coalition lawsuit against California's SB 343 recyclability labeling law.
• Print Creative AllianceminorOthersPart of the coalition lawsuit against California's SB 343 recyclability labeling law.
• 160 Agriculture Groups (CUSMA/USMCA Coalition)coreOthersPFI joined 160 agriculture groups in signing a letter calling for renewal and strengthening of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC), representing North American farmers, producers, distillers, ranchers, and agribusinesses.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Feed Industry Association (AFIA): AFIA is the national trade association representing the U.S. animal feed industry, including pet food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. PFI and AFIA actively partner on Farm Bill advocacy and rendering industry inclusion, making AFIA the closest direct comparable in scope, structure, and advocacy mission.
• Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC): PIJAC is the national trade association representing the broader U.S. pet industry, including pet food manufacturers, retailers, and service providers. Like PFI, PIJAC engages in federal and state regulatory advocacy, legislative monitoring, and industry standards development.
• American Pet Products Association (APPA): APPA represents manufacturers and retailers of pet products (food, supplies, and services) across the U.S. Both organizations are national pet industry trade bodies engaged in consumer education, market data publication, and advocacy — with overlapping but non-identical membership rosters.
• Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA): GAPFA is the international federation of national pet food associations, of which PFI is a founding member. GAPFA works with WOAH on science-based international trade standards, making it a direct peer in international regulatory coordination and trade policy advocacy.
• North American Renderers Association (NARA): NARA represents the North American rendering industry, which produces ingredients used in pet food. PFI and NARA have partnered on Farm Bill advocacy and rendering industry inclusion, making NARA a directly adjacent trade association with shared regulatory and policy interests.

Regional players

• FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation): FEDIAF is the regional trade association representing the European pet food industry. It is structurally analogous to PFI in mission (advocacy, regulation, nutrition standards) but operates across EU member states, making it the most directly comparable regional peer for PFI's international export promotion work.
• Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (UK PFMA): PFMA is the UK trade association for the pet food industry, with structurally similar mission to PFI — representing manufacturers, providing nutritional guidance, and engaging in regulatory advocacy at the national and EU level. Comparable as a national-level pet food industry trade body.
• Pet Food Association of Canada: Canada's national pet food industry trade association, structurally analogous to PFI as a country-level industry body focused on manufacturing standards, regulatory advocacy, and consumer education. Directly relevant as PFI's North American counterpart in CUSMA-related trade discussions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uspetfood
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCCtKmC7Wiwoe0nZXmutQtPg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/PetFoodInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pet-food-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/petfoodinstituteus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pet Food Institute