The 29th China International Pet Show (CIPS 2025) has successfully concluded. Spanning four days, the exhibition further deepened its international influence, attracting professional visitors from 125 countries and regions for exchanges. The cumulative attendance during the exhibition reached 84,890, representing a 21% increase year-on-year, and generating more active procurement demands on-site. As the scale of international visitors continued to expand, the focus of on-site procurement and exchanges gradually shifted to areas that were different from previous years.

While mature markets such as Europe and the United States maintained a stable procurement pace, the consulting activity from emerging markets including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa saw a marked rise. Buyers from different regions demonstrated clearer focus on product types, price ranges, minimum order quantities and delivery capabilities, with their communication becoming more direct and specific. The concurrent emergence of demands from multiple regions drove procurement and exchanges to focus more on actionable cooperation details, rather than remaining at the initial inquiry stage.

At the exhibition site, we specially invited some buyers to participate in interviews, who interpreted the current situation and trends of the pet and aquarium market from their frontline perspective. The series consists of three parts in total, and this issue is the second release. Please stay tuned for subsequent updates.

Wazeer's Aquariums

As the global aquarium industry accelerates its upgrading and consumer demand develops in the direction of refinement and specialization, the South African market has become the core growth engine in the African region by virtue of its steadily growing industry vitality. As a leading aquarium enterprise in South Africa, Wazeer's Aquariums has been deeply engaged in the industry for 29 years and has grown into a benchmark brand and key player in the local aquarium market. During the exhibition, Wazeer Jeewa, founder of Wazeer's Aquariums, and Mohammed Jeewa, general manager, shared the enterprise's development layout, market insights as well as prospects for cooperation with Chinese suppliers.

▲ Wazeer Jeewa, Founder of Wazeer's Aquariums (Left) Mohammed Jeewa, General Manager of Wazeer's Aquariums (Right)

CIPS：Could you please give us a brief overview of Wazeers Aquariums?

Wazeers Aquariums：It’s our pleasure to be here. Wazeers Aquariums boasts a 29-year legacy in the aquatic industry, and we attend CIPS almost every year. Headquartered in Hout Bay and Johannesburg, South Africa, we own three large-scale retail stores in these two locations and provide nationwide distribution services across the entire South Africa. Our core businesses include the manufacturing, installation, and professional maintenance of aquariums. We are also specialists in tropical fish—covering everything from monster fish to nano fish—as well as aquatic plants, marine tanks, and reef tanks, providing end-to-end care solutions for our clients. Beyond physical retail, we have built a robust online presence across major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, where we have garnered a strong following.

▲ On-site Photo of Wazeer's Aquariums Store

CIPS：Which countries do you import your fish from?

Wazeers Aquariums：Our fish imports primarily come from Southeast Asia. Singapore and Thailand are our key sourcing hubs, and we also procure from Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Additionally, we import from Taiwan and Kenya to diversify our product range and meet the varied demands of our customers.

CIPS：What is the core reason behind your consistent participation in CIPS year after year?

Wazeers Aquariums：CIPS is an unparalleled platform for us. First and foremost, it’s a hub for discovering cutting-edge products, innovative ideas, and advanced technologies tailored for fish tanks and ponds—all of which are instrumental in keeping our business at the forefront of the industry. Secondly, it allows us to reconnect with our existing suppliers and strengthen our long-standing partnerships. Most importantly, CIPS serves as a global meeting point for professionals in the aquatic trade. Just this morning, for instance, I ran into a valued supplier from Vietnam whom we source fish from. It’s moments like these that make the event truly invaluable for networking and collaboration.

▲ Photos of Wazeer Jeewa's Previous Visits

CIPS：How would you characterize the current development status of the aquaculture market in your country?

Wazeers Aquariums：The market is growing slowly but steadily, though it does come with its fair share of challenges. South Africa’s population size is much smaller than China’s, so the overall scale of the aquatic trade is relatively more modest. One major hurdle is that aquatic products are often categorized as luxury items in our country, which is still in the developing stage. As a result, many consumers cannot afford high-end aquatic products and services. We also grapple with infrastructural issues such as inconsistent municipal water quality and unreliable electricity supply, both of which are critical for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, strict import regulations on fish food and frozen aquatic products impose restrictions on our business operations and product diversity.

CIPS：In the South African market, what types of aquatic products are most favored by consumers?

Wazeers Aquariums：Our market caters to both low-end and high-end consumer segments, so we offer a comprehensive range of products spanning from budget-friendly options to premium, high-value items. When it comes to brand portfolio, our shelves are stocked with a host of well-known industry brands, including China’s Boyu, Dolphin and SunSun. This diverse brand matrix stands as our core advantage in reaching all types of customers with precision.

CIPS：During this year’s CIPS, which products have caught your attention the most?

Wazeers Aquariums：Numerous brands rolled out their brand-new product lines, and a silent air pump also stood out for its impressive performance. In addition, the designs of several new aquarium models at the exhibition were particularly noteworthy, boasting sleek and streamlined appearances that perfectly combined with practical functionalities.

CIPS：In your view, what core competitive advantages do Chinese suppliers hold in the global aquatic market?

Wazeers Aquariums：Chinese suppliers have several undeniable strengths. First, their production capacity is unmatched—they can manufacture virtually any aquatic product you can imagine, covering the entire spectrum of the industry’s needs. Second, their flexibility and customer-centric approach are highly commendable. Unlike some suppliers in other regions, Chinese manufacturers are willing to accommodate diverse customer requirements, and they don’t enforce overly strict minimum order quantities. Moreover, consolidating a container for shipping is a seamless process, which simplifies logistics and reduces costs for international buyers like us.

CIPS：Do you have any plans to expand your cooperation with Chinese suppliers or tap deeper into the Chinese market?

Wazeers Aquariums：Absolutely. We are eager to forge partnerships with more Chinese suppliers. Our goal is to source a wider variety of high-quality products at competitive prices, so we can enrich our inventory and better serve the South African market. CIPS provides the perfect platform for us to connect with potential new suppliers and explore mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities.

To wrap up, we want to emphasize that Wazeers Aquariums is committed to attending CIPS every year. We look forward to meeting more outstanding Chinese suppliers, building stronger business networks, and fostering deeper cooperation in the years to come.