Turkish pet food producer eyes US market for expansion

NEW YORK — Tropikal Pet A.S., a Turkish pet food producer, shared March 4 that it has established a $9 million funding agreement with Eminova Holdings International. The company will use the funds to increase its production capacity and enter the US pet food market.

Founded in 1999, Tropikal Pet originally began as an importer for international pet care brands, and later expanded to become the first domestic pet food producer in Turkey in 2005, according to the company. The company’s brands include Champion, which offers wet and dry products for dogs, cats and birds; and Goody, which offers products for dogs and cats. It currently operates a factory in Tuzla, Istanbul, with an annual capacity of 30,000 tons.

The funding will be raised through a capital raise agreement. Tropikal Pet plans to use the funds to increase its production capacity, double its current export sales by expanding into the United States, expand its current portfolio with new products, reduce working capital purchase costs, and operate at full capacity. The company will dedicate other investments to increase its advertising and marketing budget.

As part of the agreement, Eminova Holdings International will work with its subsidiary Eminova Funding to support Tropikal Pet.

“Sales of pet foods are increasing more and more every year worldwide,” said İzzet Saban, chief executive officer of Tropikal Pet. “… We have signed a very important capital raise agreement in order to expand the Turkish market and to be able to take part in the US market. I would like to thank Eminova Holdings International for this cooperation.”

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