Local production of pet food is about to grow - and it's partly due to Covid-19.

Wattie's has invested more than $20 million into a Hastings factory to ensure it can keep producing pet food here amidst a global shortage on pet food.

Managing director Neil Heffer says pet food makes up about 12 per cent of business, but that's increasing significantly.

He told Mike Hosking the shortages are due to freight issues leading to a global petfood shortage, and an increase in pet ownership is pushing up demand.

"We're probably producing 40 percent more than we were a year ago, and that's before we had the ability to ramp up production further with our new facilities."

Heffer says the new facilities will allow it to keep up that growing demand.

"We're certainly around the clock, and our teams are working incredibly hard to keep products on the shelf and keep New Zealand dogs and cats as happy as possible."

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