Pet Food Processing - January 2025 - 8

BUSINESS BRIEFS
2025 SPELLS CHALLENGING FOR
AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY
The prospect of new tariff disputes following Donald
Trump's return to presidency in the United States, ongoing
geopolitical tensions and continued climate changerelated
challenges are expected to significantly impact
agricultural trade and producer profitability worldwide in
the upcoming year, according to a Rabobank report.
In its Agri Commodity Markets Outlook 2025,
Rabobank examined a variety of factors that would likely
impact global agricultural commodity markets, including
the anticipated tariff disputes, a reduction of grain production
and exports in war-torn Ukraine, and a short and weak La Niña weather pattern.
The anticipated tariff disputes, led by the incoming Trump administration in the United States, are set to target imports from
China, Mexico, Canada and many others.
The report noted that the United States imported $195 billion worth of agricultural products in 2023, a 280% increase over
the past two decades. Potential retaliatory measures from China could further exacerbate the situation, with US soybean exports
likely to be targeted.
Increasing tariffs on these countries could additionally impact the pet food industry, as these countries are currently the
United States' top export markets for dog and cat foods. Additionally, China is responsible for producing a significant portion of
vitamins essential in pet food production. According to the American Feed Industry Association, more than 78% of all US vitamin
imports come from China.
General Mills scoops up Whitebridge
Pet Brands for $1.45 billion
We saw our US pet food
business return to pound
General Mills Inc. has acquired Whitebridge Pet Brands'
North American business from NXMH for $1.45 billion. The
acquisition furthers General Mills' Accelerate strategy with a
goal to drive sustainable, profitable growth long-term.
Whitebridge Pet is known for its Tiki Pets and Cloud Star
brands, making it a growth leader in the cat food and pet treat
segments, according to General Mills. Tiki Pets offers products
for cats under Tiki Cat and dogs under Tiki Dogs. Cloud
Star specializes in treats and supplements with its brands Wag
More Bark Less, Tricky Trainers, Dynamo Dog, Dogswell,
share growth and held dollar
share for the first time in
more than two years. "
Jeff Harmening, General Mills
Buddy Biscuits, Pet Botanics and Grizzly Pet Products.
With this wide portfolio, Whitebridge Pet's North
American business generated an estimated $325 million in
the past year, according to data from NielsenIQ.
" Acquiring the Tiki Pets and Cloud Star portfolio strengthens
our commitment in the pet space, " said Jon Nudi, group
president of North America Pet, International, and North
America Foodservice at General Mills. " These brands complement
our Blue Buffalo portfolio and will help us incrementally
grow in cat feeding and treats. We're excited to welcome
the North American Whitebridge team to General Mills and
to provide pet parents with an expanding portfolio of brands
to feed and treat their pets like family. "
As part of the acquisition, General Mills will take over operations
of two manufacturing facilities in Joplin, Mo. NXMH
will keep Whitebridge Pet's European business and brands.
8 PET FOOD PROCESSING | Jan-Feb 2025 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
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Pet Food Processing - January 2025

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