Virbac Starts Production at First China Plant in Suzhou, Aiming to Capture Local Pet Supplement Growth
Executive Summary: Virbac has begun production at its first manufacturing site in China, a Suzhou facility that will produce pet nutritional products including Nutri-Plus soft chews. The plant, announced in May 2024, moved from groundbreaking to commercial production in just over two years and is targeting sales exceeding one-quarter of Virbac’s China business.
Key Facts
- Company
- Virbac
- Country
- China
- Industry
- Animal health; pet nutritional supplements
- Category
- Joint support and digestive support soft chews
- Event
- First China production plant commences commercial production
- Date
- Production began July 2026; announced publicly August–September 2026
- Location
- Xushuguan, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Source
- Suzhou Municipal Government; Suzhou High-Tech District Government
What Happened
Virbac (Suzhou) Pet Food Co., Ltd. has officially started production, with its first batch of Nutri-Plus soft chews released to the market at the same time. The facility, located in Xushuguan in Suzhou’s high-tech district, is Virbac’s first production base in China. At full capacity it is expected to produce 20 tons of pet nutritional products annually. Virbac entered China in 2011 through a trading company in Shanghai; until now its products have been imported.
The Suzhou project was announced in May 2024. Construction, equipment installation, process transfer and regulatory approvals were completed in just over two years. The first Nutri-Plus line covers joint support and digestive support soft chews for dogs and cats, launched at the Second China Small Animal Veterinary Specialist Development Conference in Shenzhen at the end of July 2026.
Background
Virbac is a French animal-health company founded in 1968. It is the world’s sixth-largest listed animal-health company by revenue, operating in more than 100 countries and offering products for 50 animal species. Its portfolio includes over 1,200 pharmaceuticals, biologics and pet health supplements. China has become one of the fastest-growing pet health markets globally, with rising demand for scientifically formulated, locally produced supplements and preventive care products.
Industry Context
International pet-health companies are under pressure in China to manufacture locally. Imported products face longer registration timelines, higher logistics costs and increasing competition from domestic brands that can iterate quickly and price aggressively. By producing in Suzhou, Virbac gains a shorter path from R&D to market, lower import dependency, and the ability to adapt formulations to Chinese consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. The move follows a broader pattern in which multinationals build ‘in China, for China’ supply chains.
Market & Business Impact
The Suzhou plant gives Virbac a domestic platform for the Nutri-Plus range and future nutritional categories. Virbac has stated that Suzhou’s nutritional-product sales are expected to account for more than one-quarter of the company’s total China business as capacity scales. The initial SKUs target two high-growth segments: joint support, driven by aging pets and large-breed ownership, and digestive support, where probiotics and gut-health products are gaining traction among Chinese pet owners.
For competitors, Virbac’s local production raises the competitive bar. Imported premium supplements will now compete against a globally recognized brand that can offer shorter lead times and potentially better margins. For veterinarians and pet retailers, the plant should improve product availability and reduce stockouts of Virbac nutritional products.
Companies & Brands Involved
Virbac is the primary company. The Nutri-Plus brand is the first product line manufactured at Suzhou. China Agricultural University is mentioned in local reports as a research partner for target-animal randomized controlled trials on the Nutri-Plus formulations. Competitors in the Chinese pet supplement market include domestic brands, other multinationals with local factories, and cross-border e-commerce sellers.
Data & Evidence
Facility: Virbac (Suzhou) Pet Food Co., Ltd. Location: Xushuguan, Suzhou. Annual capacity at full run: 20 tons of pet nutritional products. First products: Nutri-Plus joint support and digestive support soft chews, six SKUs. Virbac was founded in 1968, operates in >100 countries, products for 50 species, portfolio of >1,200 products. China entry: 2011. Suzhou project announced: May 2024. Production start: July 2026. Target: >25% of Virbac China sales. Sources: Suzhou Municipal Government (1 Sep 2026), Suzhou High-Tech District Government (25 Aug 2026).
What This Means for the Pet Industry
Virbac’s Suzhou opening is further evidence that the Chinese pet health market has matured to the point where global leaders must manufacture locally to compete. The plant will not only serve China but could eventually become an export hub for other Asian markets. For the broader industry, it reinforces that R&D partnerships, local regulatory expertise and manufacturing scale are becoming table stakes in the world’s second-largest pet market.
Key Takeaways
- Virbac has begun production at its first China plant in Suzhou.
- The facility will produce up to 20 tons of pet nutritional products annually at full capacity.
- The first products are Nutri-Plus joint support and digestive support soft chews.
- Virbac aims for Suzhou nutritional sales to exceed one-quarter of its China business.
- The move reflects the ‘in China, for China’ localization trend among international pet-health companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened?
Virbac started commercial production at its first manufacturing plant in China, located in Suzhou, and released the first batch of Nutri-Plus soft chews.
Which company is involved?
Virbac, the French animal-health company and sixth-largest listed animal-health company globally.
Where did it take place?
Xushuguan, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.
Why is this important for the pet industry?
It shows that major international pet-health companies now need local manufacturing to compete in China’s fast-growing pet supplement market.
What pet industry segment is affected?
Pet nutritional supplements, particularly joint support, digestive support and probiotic products for dogs and cats.
Sources
- Primary — Suzhou Municipal Government, “Virbac’s Suzhou plant commences production”, 1 Sep 2026, https://english.suzhou.gov.cn/szsenglish/News/202609/fb99b4b604ef4db1b05e977544e56a40.shtml
- Secondary — Suzhou High-Tech District Government, “法国维克苏州工厂正式投产”, 25 Aug 2026, http://www.snd.gov.cn/hqqrmzf/gzdt/202608/11e7f20608e54a6c8f3d60e14bd28be4.shtml
