In 2024, the 28th China International Pet Show (CIPS) welcomed its largest number of overseas buyers to date—a 73% increase over the previous year. But beyond the figures lies something more telling: a deeper look into the perspectives of buyers from across the globe, and how they see both the pet industry and China’s evolving role within it.

From long-time importers to first-time attendees, these international voices reflect a spectrum of practical concerns, including maintaining stable industry chains, identifying new product categories, and navigating shifting consumer demands. Their perspectives offer more than general optimism; they provide a ground-level view of how sourcing decisions are made and why industry platforms like CIPS remain part of that equation—not through overt marketing, but through consistent relevance.

What Global Buyers Reveal: Practical Lessons from the Show Floor

Conversations with buyers at the most recent edition of CIPS offered a more nuanced picture than a standard post-show recap. What stood out wasn’t just the scale of participation, but the diversity in how professionals from different corners of the industry are thinking about their industry chains, product sourcing, and market shifts.

Several recurring themes emerged. For companies with established networks, the show has become a checkpoint—an opportunity to maintain supplier relationships and assess shifts in product trends. One such UK-based import buyer with decades of experience noted: “We’ve been attending the CIPS for over 25 years... Today, about 80 percent of our products come from China.”

For smaller or newer businesses, particularly those expanding into international procurement, the show functions as an access point. Sharing insights from an emerging African market, a pet retailer and clinic operator based in Rwanda recalled: “In 2023, I came to CIPS for the first time and started trading with Chinese companies.” He added, “I was the first person in Rwanda to import Chinese pet products” and now hopes “to introduce big sellers and dealers from Africa to China.”

In more specialized sectors, such as aquatics and reptile care, the feedback pointed to how niche product innovation can drive interest. A reptile product specialist from a Japanese manufacturing company observed: “I was pleasantly surprised to find a number of up-and-coming reptile pet manufacturers making an appearance. This phenomenon reminded me of the Japanese market, where the reptile market is booming while the aquarium market is relatively stagnant.”

Other companies emphasized the role CIPS plays in observing broader manufacturing shifts. Some noted that improvements in finish quality, materials, and regulatory compliance were more apparent in this edition compared to previous years. It’s not just about sourcing anymore—it’s about seeing where suppliers are headed.

These insights point to a wider pattern: that buyers are using CIPS as a lens on the industry, not just a showroom. While commercial outcomes remain central, the value of the event increasingly lies in the context it provides—the ability to benchmark, evaluate, and adapt within a fast-evolving market. As a representative from Mexico’s largest importer of aquarium products shared during the show: “Many Chinese aquarium brands are already comparable to EU brands... Each year at CIPS, we find new innovations that directly shape what we offer our customers.”

Beyond Sourcing: Understanding the Industry

While CIPS has long been known as a sourcing hub, what keeps buyers returning is the access it provides—not only to products, but to market awareness.

Across conversations, one theme emerges: buyers are not just purchasing goods; they are reading the market. Whether it’s recognizing the rise of reptiles in Japan or the emergence of Africa as a new frontier for pet consumption, CIPS serves as a vantage point for global trends in real time.

A Platform That Mirrors Market Shifts

The 29th CIPS will take place from November 13–16 at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou, under the theme “INFINITY”—a nod to the ever-evolving nature of the pet industry. As more regions enter the market and sourcing becomes increasingly strategic, what buyers are really seeking is a place to understand—not just acquire. In response to these shifting needs, CIPS is refining its approach to ensure it continues offering both sourcing value and strategic relevance in step with the industry’s evolution.