Weifang targets 10b-yuan pet economy by 2028

Weifang in East China's Shandong province is accelerating the development of its pet economy, leveraging its strong industrial foundation and emerging smart manufacturing capabilities to build a leading pet industry hub in northern China.

The city is currently home to around 30,000 pet-related enterprises, ranking among the top in the province. Annual pet food exports exceed 4 billion yuan ($588.8 million), accounting for about one-third of the national total. Specialized industrial clusters have taken shape in districts and counties including Kuiwen, Zhucheng, Anqiu and Linqu.

Local companies are increasingly moving up the value chain as they embrace technological innovation. In Zhucheng, Catsoul has developed smart pet treadmills connected to the Internet of Things, allowing owners to monitor their pets' exercise data remotely via mobile applications. In Linqu county, Shandong Shouchong Biotechnology has expanded its freeze-dried pet food production capacity to meet surging market demand.

Catsoul, a Weifang-based manufacturer, specializes in modern luxury cat furniture and interactive exercise equipment. [Photo/Dazhong News]

To further promote industry growth, the Weifang Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, together with 17 other departments, recently issued the city's first comprehensive policy document dedicated to the pet economy. The policy sets a goal of expanding the sector to more than 10 billion yuan by 2028 while fostering more pet-friendly urban spaces and cultivating nationally competitive enterprises in this field.

The new policy also outlines measures to strengthen smart manufacturing, support independent brand development, expand domestic and overseas markets, and promote the integration of the pet economy with cultural tourism and the silver economy, which focuses on the needs of people aged 60 and older, aiming to create new drivers for high-quality growth.