Yuriy Bykoriz, Managing Director CEE, Kormotech Global: "The Romanian pet food market is steadily expanding, and our aim is to capture over 10% of the market share"
"The Romanian pet food market is larger than our domestic market in Ukraine. It shows significant potential and is growing steadily, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%," states Yuriy Bykoriz, Managing Director CEE, Kormotech…
"The Romanian pet food market is larger than our domestic market in Ukraine. It shows significant potential and is growing steadily, with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%," states Yuriy Bykoriz, Managing Director CEE, Kormotech Global.
Kormotech, a family-owned global pet food company with Ukrainian roots, has been producing food for cats and dogs since 2003. Over two decades, it has established itself as a leader in the Ukrainian market and is now prioritizing export growth and solidifying its presence in Central and Eastern Europe.
Romania stands as a key focus for Kormotech's export strategy, representing around 20% of the company’s total exports from Ukraine. In 2024, Kormotech achieved sales of approximately €9.7 million in Romania, delivering 5,500 tons of cat and dog food.
Kormotech has been in operation since 2003. What was the starting point, and what achievements has the company made over more than two decades?
Yuriy Bykoriz: The company was founded by Rostyslav Vovk, along with his father and sister Olena. In the early 2000s, Ukraine lacked domestic pet food producers, with the market being dominated by two multinational companies, which presented an opportunity for a local manufacturer. In 2005, Kormotech opened Ukraine's first dry pet food production facility. Just three years later, the company had captured 15% of the Ukrainian pet food market. Today, its market share is nearly 30%.
Kormotech operates three production facilities for dry and wet pet food: two in Ukraine and one in Lithuania, which opened in 2020. Together, these factories produce 100,000 tons of products annually, equating to over 230 million packages in various sizes. The company exports to 44 countries around the world and continues to invest in expanding its production capabilities. In 2023, exports made up 31% of total sales, with a target to raise that to 70% by 2028 and strengthen its presence in international markets.
In the past 20 years, Kormotech has grown to employ 1,300 people, with 85% of them being pet parents.
What cat and dog food brands does Kormotech manufacture? What makes them unique? Which of them are available in Romania?
Yuriy Bykoriz: Kormotech offers four brands across different categories: super-premium food for cats and dogs Optimeal, premium Club 4 Paws, standard-class My Love, and the newly launched treat brand Delickcious.
