Hisun Pharma and Zhongyu Pet Food Break Ground on China’s First Domestic Pet Prescription Food Plant in Taizhou
Executive Summary: On September 3, 2026, Hisun Pharmaceutical (600267.SH) and Zhongyu Pet Food broke ground on a RMB 236 million joint venture plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang, marking China’s first domestic manufacturing base for high-end pet prescription food. The facility, operated by Zhejiang Hisun Zhongyu Animal Nutrition Technology, will produce 12,000 tonnes of dry prescription food and 480 tonnes of wet prescription food annually, targeting chronic disease management, post-surgery recovery, and special constitution diets for pets. The project aims to break the long-standing monopoly of foreign brands in China’s premium prescription pet food market.
Key Facts
- Company
- Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (600267.SH) / Zhongyu Pet Food (Luohe)
- Country
- China
- Industry
- Pet prescription food manufacturing
- Category
- Pet health / prescription diet
- Event
- Groundbreaking of domestic pet prescription food plant
- Date
- 2026-09-03
- Location
- Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China
- Source
- Zhejiang Online Taizhou / Tonghuashun Finance
What Happened
On September 3, 2026, Zhejiang Hisun Zhongyu Animal Nutrition Technology Co., Ltd. held a groundbreaking ceremony in Jiaojiang District, Taizhou, for a purpose-built pet prescription food manufacturing plant. The project represents a strategic joint venture between Hisun Pharmaceutical’s animal health subsidiary (Hisun Animal Health, holding 60 percent equity) and Zhongyu Pet Food from Luohe, Henan (holding 40 percent equity). The joint venture was registered in January 2026 with RMB 50 million in registered capital.
The facility will occupy 34,299 square meters with a total investment of RMB 236 million. Upon completion, the plant will produce 12,000 tonnes of dry prescription food and 480 tonnes of wet prescription food per year. Products will target three core clinical nutrition scenarios: chronic disease management, post-surgical recovery, and special constitution adaptation for pets.
Background
Hisun Pharmaceutical, founded in 1956 and headquartered in Taizhou, is one of China’s oldest pharmaceutical companies with seven decades of drug development expertise. The company has been expanding into animal health through its subsidiary Hisun Animal Health, which has accumulated over 100 pet health-related patents and built a distribution network covering more than 15,000 offline pet hospitals across China.
Zhongyu Pet Food, based in Luohe, Henan, has 15 years of experience in pet food manufacturing with mature production systems and established supply chains. The joint venture combines Hisun’s pharmaceutical-grade research and quality control capabilities with Zhongyu’s pet food manufacturing expertise, operating under a medical-grade nutrition philosophy described as food-as-medicine.
China’s premium pet prescription food market has been dominated by international brands, primarily Royal Canin (Mars) and Hill’s Science Diet (Colgate-Palmolive). Domestic alternatives have been largely absent, forcing Chinese pet owners to rely on imported products or overseas purchasing agents (daigou) for specialized therapeutic diets.
Industry Context
The Hisun Zhongyu project enters the market at a time when China’s pet industry is shifting from volume growth to quality-driven development. The 2026 China Pet Industry Blue Book, published by the Asia Pet Academy, projects the domestic pet consumption market to reach RMB 336.5 billion in 2026, with dogs and cats totaling 189 million. As the pet population ages, demand for chronic disease management, post-surgical nutrition, and specialized therapeutic diets is accelerating rapidly.
Prescription pet food occupies a unique position between veterinary medicine and pet nutrition. Unlike standard pet food, prescription diets carry medical attributes and are typically recommended by veterinarians for specific health conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, urinary tract issues, and food allergies. The global market for veterinary therapeutic diets is dominated by Royal Canin’s Renal, Urinary, and Satiety lines, and Hill’s Prescription Diet range, both of which are widely prescribed by veterinarians worldwide.
Hisun’s entry into this segment follows a broader pattern of Chinese pharmaceutical companies diversifying into animal health. Virbac opened its first China plant in Suzhou in 2026 to produce pet supplements, while H&H Group reported 4.8 percent like-for-like growth in its Pet Nutrition and Care segment in H1 2026, driven by North American supplement demand.
Market and Business Impact
The Hisun Zhongyu plant could fundamentally alter the competitive landscape of China’s premium prescription pet food market. With 12,000 tonnes of annual dry prescription food capacity, the facility represents a significant domestic supply base that could reduce import dependence and lower costs for Chinese pet owners seeking therapeutic diets.
Hisun Animal Health’s existing network of 15,000-plus pet hospital partnerships gives the joint venture an immediate distribution advantage that foreign brands cannot easily replicate. Prescription food is primarily sold through veterinary channels, so controlling the clinical recommendation point is critical for market penetration.
For international brands like Royal Canin and Hill’s, the entry of a Chinese pharmaceutical-backed competitor signals increasing competitive pressure in one of their highest-margin product categories. The global therapeutic pet food market was valued at approximately USD 8.2 billion in 2026, and China represents one of its fastest-growing segments as pet ownership matures and veterinary care infrastructure expands.
Companies and Brands Involved
Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (SH: 600267) is the majority shareholder through its subsidiary Hisun Animal Health, which holds 60 percent of the joint venture. The company is publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Zhongyu Pet Food (Luohe) holds the remaining 40 percent and brings manufacturing expertise. The joint venture entity, Zhejiang Hisun Zhongyu Animal Nutrition Technology Co., Ltd., will operate the plant. Hisun Animal Health has been recognized as a Zhejiang Provincial Key Enterprise Research Institute for Animal Health, with over 100 pet health patents.
Data and Evidence
- Total investment: RMB 236 million (approximately USD 33 million)
- Annual capacity: 12,000 tonnes dry prescription food + 480 tonnes wet prescription food
- Facility area: 34,299 square meters
- Joint venture registered capital: RMB 50 million (Hisun Animal Health 60%, Zhongyu 40%)
- Hisun Animal Health patent portfolio: 100+ pet health-related patents
- Distribution network: 15,000+ offline pet hospitals
- China pet consumption market 2026 projection: RMB 336.5 billion (Asia Pet Academy Blue Book)
- China dog and cat population 2026 projection: 189 million
- Source: Zhejiang Online Taizhou, September 4-5, 2026; Tonghuashun Finance, September 4, 2026
What This Means for the Pet Industry
The Hisun Zhongyu groundbreaking represents the first serious domestic challenge to the foreign monopoly on premium pet prescription food in China. A pharmaceutical company with 70 years of drug development experience entering the therapeutic nutrition space brings a credibility factor that conventional pet food manufacturers cannot match. If Hisun can deliver prescription diets with pharmaceutical-grade quality control at lower price points than imported Royal Canin or Hill’s products, the import-substitution dynamic could spread quickly through China’s 15,000-plus pet hospitals. This also signals to other Chinese pharma companies that animal health and pet therapeutic nutrition are viable diversification paths, potentially accelerating the maturation of China’s domestic pet health ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- Hisun Pharmaceutical and Zhongyu Pet Food broke ground on September 3, 2026, on a RMB 236 million pet prescription food plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang, with annual capacity of 12,000 tonnes dry and 480 tonnes wet prescription food.
- The joint venture, Hisun Zhongyu, is 60 percent owned by Hisun Animal Health and 40 percent by Zhongyu Pet Food, combining pharmaceutical-grade R&D with pet food manufacturing expertise.
- The project targets three clinical nutrition scenarios: chronic disease management, post-surgical recovery, and special constitution adaptation, aiming to break the foreign brand monopoly in China’s premium prescription food market.
- Hisun Animal Health brings a network of 15,000-plus pet hospital partnerships and over 100 pet health patents to the joint venture, giving it an immediate veterinary channel advantage.
- The entry of a pharmaceutical-backed domestic manufacturer signals increasing competitive pressure on international brands Royal Canin and Hill’s in one of their highest-margin categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened?
Hisun Pharmaceutical and Zhongyu Pet Food broke ground on September 3, 2026, on China’s first domestic pet prescription food manufacturing plant in Taizhou, Zhejiang, with RMB 236 million investment and 12,000 tonnes annual dry food capacity.
Which company is involved?
Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (SH: 600267) through its subsidiary Hisun Animal Health (60% equity), in joint venture with Zhongyu Pet Food from Luohe, Henan (40% equity). The operating entity is Zhejiang Hisun Zhongyu Animal Nutrition Technology Co., Ltd.
Where did it take place?
The plant is located in Jiaojiang District (Qiansuo area), Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, China, covering 34,299 square meters.
Why is this important for the pet industry?
This is the first serious domestic challenge to the foreign monopoly on premium pet prescription food in China, combining pharmaceutical-grade R&D with a 15,000-plus pet hospital distribution network to compete with Royal Canin and Hill’s in therapeutic diets.
What pet industry segment is affected?
The pet prescription food and therapeutic nutrition segment is most directly affected, with implications for veterinary clinical nutrition, chronic disease management, and the broader pet health market in China.
Sources
- Primary — Zhejiang Online Taizhou Channel, https://tz.zjol.com.cn/tzxw/202609/t20260904_31889828.shtml, September 4, 2026
- Secondary — Tonghuashun Finance (10jqka.com.cn), https://m.10jqka.com.cn/20260904/c679613772.shtml, September 4, 2026
- Secondary — Zhejiang Online Taizhou (follow-up), https://tz.zjol.com.cn/tzxw/202609/t20260905_31892472.shtml, September 5, 2026
