Export Vetting: DGFT Mandates Certified Sourcing for Pet Food Raw Materials

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has taken a decisive step toward professionalizing India’s pet food export sector. In a move that clearly signals India’s ambition to be a credible player in the global market, DGFT Notification No. 29/2025-26, dated September 8, 2025, has introduced stringent new sourcing and certification requirements for animal by-products used as raw materials in pet food.

The Mandate: Where Your Raw Materials Must Come From

The core of the amendment is a new policy condition added to Chapter 23 of the Export Policy (covering ITC(HS) codes like 23091000 for dog/cat food).

The key requirement is clear: Raw materials, including meat, offal, bones, and other animal organs, must now be sourced exclusively from:

1. APEDA-registered integrated abattoirs, OR

2. Municipal Slaughterhouses that meet the quality standards.

Furthermore, these materials require mandatory veterinary certification. The certificate must be issued by a registered veterinarian employed by the processing unit and supervised by the designated state/UT veterinary authority, confirming quality and suitability for non-human consumption.

Editor's Analysis (Petpitch India Magazine)

This DGFT notification is more than just paperwork; it is a gateway to global acceptance and a crucial signal of regulatory maturity.

• Elevating Global Trust: The primary driver is alignment with the stringent health and safety regulations of major importing nations, particularly the European Union (EU). By mandating sourcing from APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) approved facilities, India is providing global buyers with the necessary assurance of quality control and traceability. This will significantly reduce the risk of border rejections and enhance the brand image of 'Made in India' pet products.

• The Cost of Compliance: While beneficial long-term, this policy will initially create a compliance hurdle for smaller or non-integrated exporters. Companies must now overhaul their sourcing chains to ensure adherence to the new APEDA or municipal standards. This shift is likely to favor larger, well-organized players who already have access to integrated supply chains.

• Formalization of the Sector: The move formalizes the pet food raw material supply chain, forcing a clear distinction between the raw material streams intended for human consumption and those destined for pet food export. This post-mortem inspection and official veterinary oversight injects an essential layer of professionalism that the industry has long needed to compete internationally.

The takeaway for Indian pet food manufacturers: The cost of compliance is an investment in future growth. This is the necessary price of admission to the lucrative and demanding global export market. It sets a new, higher benchmark for quality that will ultimately benefit both the export economy and, indirectly, the quality of pet nutrition domestically.