The ongoing economic uncertainty has had an impact even on pet products. Merial (Thailand), importer of Frontline parasiticides for flea and tick control, has revised the industry's overall demand downwards by half from last year.

The market for parasiticides for pets like dogs and cats enjoyed huge growth of 22-25 per cent last year, said general manager Plengsak Jiradilok.

However, the signs of a slow-down have been seen since the last three months of last year.

"We have revised our overall parasiticide market estimate to grow only 10 per cent this year. Pet-owners are concerned that flea and tick-control products are non-necessary items and cut their budget for them during economic difficulties," said Plengsak.

He said the company received many telephone calls each day complaining about the bad quality of fake products available in the market - in both pet shops and pet clinics - that claim to have the same qualities as Frontline.

Plengsak said the total market for pet medicines was worth Bt800 million to Bt1 billion last year. Vaccines accounted for the largest portion, about 30 per cent, followed by parasiticides at 20 per cent.

Plengsak said Frontline flea and tick products currently enjoyed 50-60 per cent of market share in sales value and 20-30 per cent in terms of quantity.

He said Frontline had targeted premium-end consumers, due to their behaviour in vaccinating their pets. This group of pet lovers vaccinate their animals not only for rabies, but also for viral enteritis and distemper.

"Premium-end consumers account for only 10 per cent of total pet lovers in the market today. Amid a good economic situation, consumers will usually switch to the more expensive and higher quality pet treatment products," said Plengsak.

Merial (Thailand) last Thursday introduced its latest Frontline Plus set of products, which offer the most long-lasting and complete flea and tick control available in the market. The new Frontline Plus has a extra ingredient for insect-growth control - s-methoprene" - which not only kills adult fleas, but also breaks the flea life cycle by killing their eggs and larvae, preventing reinfestation.

"We expect the new Frontline Plus to push the company's business growth to 30 per cent this year in sales volume and up to 40 per cent in value," said Plengsak.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation