- Petcare organic growth reached 2.7% globally, with positive volume (RIG) of 1.7%
- Wet cat products were the primary growth driver, offsetting softness in dry dog
- Europe delivered mid single-digit growth, led by brands like Felix, Purina Pro Plan, and ONE
- Market share gains continued across major regions, particularly in Europe and the Americas
- Growth in North America was impacted by prior-quarter order timing but supported by pricing
- Emerging markets and developed regions both contributed to overall petcare momentum
Petcare remained a consistent growth contributor for Nestlé in the first quarter of 2026, delivering organic growth of 2.7% despite some timing-related headwinds from the previous quarter. Volume growth (real internal growth) reached 1.7%, reflecting underlying demand strength across key markets.
Wet Cat Drives Performance Amid Mixed Category Trends
Growth in the quarter was largely driven by continued strength in wet cat food, where pricing and demand remained favorable. This performance helped offset slower trends in dry dog food, which saw some moderation during the period.
In North America, petcare growth was supported primarily by pricing actions, while volume performance was affected by the reversal of customer order phasing that had boosted results in late 2025. Despite this, category fundamentals remained stable, and the business continued to build market share.
Europe Leads with Brand Strength and Innovation
Europe stood out as a key growth region, with petcare delivering mid single-digit organic growth. Gains were broad-based across markets and brands, including Felix, Purina Pro Plan, and ONE. The region also saw continued strengthening in volume growth, reflecting sustained consumer demand and effective commercial execution.
Nestlé highlighted ongoing innovation and marketing support as critical drivers of performance, alongside disciplined execution and portfolio focus. These efforts have contributed to sustained momentum over the past 18 months.
Market Share Gains Across Regions
Market share improved across most regions, particularly in Europe and the Americas, reinforcing Nestlé’s competitive position in the global petcare category. Growth was supported by both developed and emerging markets, with emerging regions also returning to positive growth in the quarter.
While short-term dynamics such as order timing impacted quarterly comparisons, Nestlé indicated that underlying demand trends in petcare remain resilient, supported by continued premiumization, innovation, and strong brand equity.
Information sourced from the company’s press release.
