Josera Petfood invests US$70 million in new Poland plant

German pet food producer Josera, a division of Kleinheubach-based company foodforplanet GmbH, has obtained permission to build a new factory in Paproć, in Poland’s western region of Wielkopolska. The forthcoming investment is estimated to be worth about PLN 278 million (US$70 million).

Josera’s product portfolio includes wet and dry food for dogs and cats, pet treats and accessories, among others. The business said foreign sales generate the majority of its revenues. The company sells its pet food products under the brands of Josera, Josidog and Josicat.

New pet food factory to be launched

Under the plan, the pet food business will create at least 60 new jobs at the plant, which will be part of Josera’s existing manufacturing facility in Paproć, according to information obtained by local business daily Puls Biznesu.

Locating the new factory in Poland’s Kostrzyn-Slubice special economic zone (KSSEZ), one of the country’s 14 special economic zones, will provide Josera with preferential tax treatment for its investment. In exchange, the company will be required to maintain a defined number of jobs at the plant for an agreed period and invest a declared amount in expanding its production capacities

Josera employs about 500 people in Germany and another 100 employees in Poland, according to figures from the company. Josera’s production hub in Paproć is located about 125 km from Poland’s border with Germany. 

The investment will be carried out by the company’s local subsidiary, Josera Polska, which launched its activities in the Polish market in 1999.

Export-based pet food business model

“We export to more than 60 countries across the world,” Josera said in a statement with exports representing more than 50% of company sales. Its main export destinations include several countries in Western and Eastern Europe, plus China, South Korea, Turkey, India, Indonesia and Chile, according to data from the company.

Josera said it supplies its products to about 1.2 million pets per year, but its expansion plans are designed to enable the business to raise its capacities to feed about 2 million pets annually.

Adamowski is a freelance journalist based in Warsaw, Poland. He has written on various industries, including pet food, drinks, telecoms, energy, defense and pensions, for numerous English-language publications.