Exploring the Differences in Dog Treat Preferences Across Europe with Melagris

In this episode, Clayton engages in a lively conversation with Mike and Olga Rasmussen, founders of Melagris, a natural dog treat company based in Poznań, Poland. The trio delves into the origins of Melagris, tracing its roots back to the mink food market and the pivotal shift towards dog treats following the passing of Olga's father. They discuss the evolution of the pet treat industry, sharing anecdotes about their early days, the challenges of sourcing quality ingredients, and the cultural differences in pet food preferences across Europe. The episode also touches on the impact of Brexit on trade, the complexities of supply chains, and the growing acceptance of unconventional pet treats like horse and camel products. KEY TAKEAWAYS The company initially started with mink food but shifted focus to natural dog treats after the mink market declined. This transition was influenced by personal circumstances and a growing interest in the dog treat sector. Since its inception, the business has evolved significantly, particularly after participating in trade shows like Interzoo. The founders have learned to adapt their product offerings based on market demands and customer preferences. Different European countries exhibit varying preferences for pet products. For instance, Scandinavian markets prefer cleaner products without hair, while the Dutch market is more experimental and open to trying new items. The trio discuss the complexities of building a reliable supply chain for natural treats, especially post-Brexit. Increased costs and regulatory requirements have made exporting to the UK more challenging, but established relationships with customers have helped maintain business. Mike and Olga highlight the difference between natural treats and more commoditised products. Natural treats are seen as healthier options for dogs, but they come with challenges in consistency and quality due to the variability of natural ingredients. BEST MOMENTS "After my dad passed away, I had to choose if it's like a mink market I want to get into and develop or is it more treats." "The beauty of getting involved with things like Natural Treats is, like, if you just wanted to get involved tomorrow, you can't just pick up a phone." "I think the energy costs, you know, because anything you do is always energy involved." "Dogs just love actual pieces of meat at the end of the day." HOST BIO Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few. Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica). As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-payne-a6772244/ https://www.tiktok.com/@petbusinessdisruptors https://www.youtube.com/@PetBusinessDisruptors This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/