China Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Overview, 2031

Key Insights

• China's veterinary reference laboratory market is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the world's largest companion animal population and a multi-billion-dollar livestock sector undergoing industrialization. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China and industry reports, the country's pet market size surpassed RMB 300 billion in 2025, with the number of pet dogs and cats exceeding 120 million. Pet healthcare expenditure has grown at a compound annual growth rate of over 15% since 2020, with veterinary services accounting for a substantial and growing share. The Chinese companion animal population is estimated to include approximately 58 million dogs and 67 million cats, representing a significant addressable market for reference laboratory diagnostics.
• The Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market is characterized by a dual structure comprising centralized national reference laboratories under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and a growing network of commercial reference laboratories serving veterinary clinics and hospitals. The National Reference Laboratory for Animal Disease Control, established under the China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center (CAHEC), serves as the apex of the national diagnostic network, providing confirmatory testing, reference standards, and proficiency testing for provincial laboratories.
• Regulatory oversight for veterinary diagnostic services in China is administered through a comprehensive framework under the Law on Animal Disease Prevention and Control (revised 2021). MARA establishes diagnostic standards, accredits veterinary reference laboratories, and oversees the national animal disease surveillance system. The China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) accredits veterinary diagnostic laboratories based on international standards including ISO/IEC 17025. The National Veterinary Diagnostic Reagent Reference Laboratory, established in 2022, validates and standardizes diagnostic reagents used across the national network. The regulatory environment is increasingly stringent, with mandatory reporting requirements for notifiable diseases including African swine fever, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and foot-and-mouth disease.
• The market is witnessing increasing participation from both domestic and multinational diagnostic manufacturers. Global leaders including IDEXX Laboratories and Zoetis maintain significant presence in China, while domestic companies such as Beijing Tomorrow Technology Co., Ltd. and Guangzhou Wondfo Biotechnology Co., Ltd. have expanded their veterinary diagnostic portfolios. The competitive landscape is characterized by strategic partnerships, distribution agreements, and localized manufacturing arrangements that align with China's regulatory requirements and market preferences.

Market Outlook
• According to the research report, "China Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Overview, 2031 Overview, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the China Veterinary Reference Laboratory market is anticipated to grow at more than 9.45% CAGR from 2026 to 2031.
• A defining characteristic of the Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market is the rapid modernization of diagnostic services driven by technological innovation and increasing awareness of advanced diagnostic options among veterinarians and pet owners. The adoption of molecular diagnostics, including PCR, next-generation sequencing, and digital PCR technologies, has accelerated significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened awareness of diagnostic testing capabilities. Commercial reference laboratories have invested substantially in automated platforms, digital pathology systems, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to improve throughput and diagnostic accuracy. According to industry sources, the number of commercial veterinary reference laboratories operating in China has grown from approximately 30 in 2020 to over 70 in 2025.
• Leading institutions, including the China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center (CAHEC), Harbin Veterinary Research Institute (HVRI), and the Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, continue to expand their diagnostic capabilities through investments in advanced technologies and infrastructure. The Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, a key national reference laboratory for avian influenza and African swine fever, has developed proprietary diagnostic assays that are deployed across the national surveillance network. The establishment of the National African Swine Fever Reference Laboratory in 2019 and the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory has strengthened diagnostic capacity for high-consequence diseases.
• The market also reflects China's strategic emphasis on animal health security and food safety, as articulated in the national "One Health" approach and the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Animal Health (2021-2025). The China Animal Disease Prevention and Control Law (2021 revision) strengthened the legal framework for disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and outbreak reporting. The National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Animal Diseases (2022-2025) established targets for diagnostic capacity expansion and disease monitoring. Government investment in veterinary infrastructure, estimated at over RMB 5 billion between 2020 and 2025, has supported the modernization of national and regional reference laboratories. As digital health adoption accelerates across major veterinary institutions, telemedicine and remote diagnostic consultation are expected to become increasingly important in improving diagnostic access in underserved regions.



Market Dynamics

Driver: Large and growing companion animal population with increasing healthcare expenditure
The Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market is primarily driven by the country's expanding companion animal population and rising pet healthcare expenditure. With an estimated 120 million pet dogs and cats and pet market expenditure surpassing RMB 300 billion in 2025, the addressable market for veterinary diagnostic services is substantial and growing. According to data from the China Pet Industry Association, the number of pet-owning households has grown to approximately 70 million, representing about 18% of urban households. The average annual expenditure per pet has increased from approximately RMB 2,500 in 2020 to over RMB 4,000 in 2025, with veterinary care accounting for a growing share. The increasing prevalence of chronic conditions in aging pets, including renal disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cancer, is driving demand for routine and specialized diagnostic testing.
Challenge: Uneven distribution of diagnostic infrastructure and limited specialized personnel
One of the principal challenges facing the Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market is the uneven distribution of veterinary diagnostic infrastructure and the persistent shortage of specialized veterinary professionals. While major metropolitan areas in the eastern and coastal regions have well-developed veterinary diagnostic capabilities, many rural and western regions lack access to advanced reference laboratory services. According to the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association, there are approximately 120,000 licensed veterinarians serving the country's extensive animal population, but the specialist density remains low compared to developed markets. The ratio of veterinarians to companion animals in China is estimated at 1:2,000, compared to approximately 1:500 in the United States. Geographic disparities persist, with commercial reference laboratories concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, while many prefecture-level cities lack local reference laboratory access. Budget constraints within veterinary practices, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas, can limit procurement of high-value reference laboratory services.

Trend: Expansion of molecular diagnostics and integrated laboratory services
The Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market is experiencing a significant shift toward molecular diagnostics and integrated laboratory service models. The African swine fever epidemic that began in 2018 fundamentally transformed the Chinese veterinary diagnostics landscape, dramatically accelerating adoption of PCR testing across both government and commercial laboratories. According to MARA data, over 100 million PCR tests for African swine fever were conducted between 2019 and 2025, establishing molecular diagnostics as a routine diagnostic modality. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) surveillance program similarly relies heavily on molecular testing, with national reference laboratories conducting millions of PCR tests annually. Beyond infectious disease testing, molecular diagnostics are increasingly utilized for genetic screening, breed-specific disease risk assessment, and targeted therapeutic monitoring in companion animals. Integrated laboratory service models, combining clinical chemistry, hematology, immunodiagnostics, and molecular diagnostics in a single platform, are gaining traction among commercial reference laboratories seeking to offer comprehensive diagnostic solutions. Domestic diagnostic manufacturers, including Beijing Tomorrow Technology, Guangzhou Wondfo, and Shenzhen Mindray, are expanding their veterinary diagnostic portfolios to compete with international brands in the molecular diagnostics and immunoassay segments.

Policies

• Law on Animal Disease Prevention and Control (revised 2021): The fundamental legal framework governing veterinary diagnostics and disease surveillance in China. The law mandates that veterinary diagnostic laboratories meet prescribed standards, report notifiable diseases, and maintain quality management systems. The revised law strengthened requirements for biosafety, laboratory accreditation, and emergency response capabilities. MARA is responsible for implementing and enforcing provisions related to veterinary reference laboratory operations.
• National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Animal Diseases (2022-2025): A strategic plan issued by MARA that establishes targets for diagnostic capacity expansion, disease surveillance, and outbreak response. The plan sets specific targets for laboratory testing volumes, disease monitoring coverage, and biosafety level compliance. It promotes the development of integrated diagnostic networks linking national, provincial, and commercial laboratories to improve detection and response capabilities.
• National Veterinary Diagnostic Reagent Reference Laboratory Establishment (2022): MARA established the National Veterinary Diagnostic Reagent Reference Laboratory to standardize and validate diagnostic reagents used in veterinary testing. The laboratory evaluates reagent quality, establishes reference standards, and provides proficiency testing services to diagnostic laboratories. This initiative aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and consistency across the national laboratory network.
• Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation by CNAS:The China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) provides accreditation for veterinary diagnostic laboratories based on ISO/IEC 17025 standards. Accredited laboratories demonstrate technical competence and quality management capability, providing assurance to clients and regulatory authorities. Accreditation is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for commercial reference laboratories serving veterinary clinics and research institutions.
• 14th Five-Year Plan for National Animal Health (2021-2025):The national planning document that sets strategic directions for animal health infrastructure, disease surveillance, and diagnostic capacity development. The plan emphasizes modernization of veterinary services, adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies, and strengthening of the "One Health" approach. Government investment in veterinary infrastructure under this plan has supported the expansion and modernization of reference laboratory capabilities.

Market Overview, 2031 Segment Analysis Analysis

China Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Overview, 2031 By Service Type
• Clinical Chemistry represents the largest revenue-generating service category in the Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market due to the high volume of routine blood chemistry panels and metabolic profiling tests performed across companion animal and livestock healthcare settings. Clinical chemistry services are utilized for routine wellness testing, disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and pre-surgical assessment, with adoption concentrated within veterinary hospitals, specialty referral centers, and reference laboratories. The growing emphasis on preventive care and early disease detection continues to drive demand for comprehensive chemistry panels. Veterinary hospitals typically perform complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry panels as part of routine wellness exams, with tests ranging from RMB 50 to RMB 200 per panel depending on panel complexity and geographic location.
• Immunodiagnostics represents a significant and rapidly growing service category, enabling rapid, accurate, and cost-effective detection of a wide range of infectious and chronic diseases in companion and livestock animals. Immunodiagnostic services include ELISA-based testing, serological assays, rapid test kits, and immunofluorescence, supporting infectious disease screening, vaccine titer monitoring, and endocrine disorder diagnosis. The prevalence of infectious diseases such as canine parvovirus, canine distemper, and feline infectious peritonitis continues to drive demand for immunodiagnostic testing. The national surveillance programs for African swine fever and avian influenza utilize immunodiagnostic assays for screening and confirmation. Rapid test kits have gained popularity in veterinary clinics, providing point-of-care diagnostic options, though reference laboratory-based immunoassays remain essential for comprehensive testing and confirmation.
• Hematology maintains a significant position within the Chinese market, driven by the fundamental role of complete blood count (CBC) analysis in routine and emergency veterinary medicine. Hematology services are utilized for the diagnosis of anemia, infection, inflammation, immune disorders, and hematological abnormalities, with adoption concentrated within veterinary hospitals, emergency clinics, and reference laboratories. The increasing prevalence of hematological disorders in aging companion animals continues to support steady demand for hematology testing. Automated hematology analyzers have become standard equipment in commercial reference laboratories, with some facilities also offering manual differentials for specialized cases.
• The African swine fever epidemic served as a transformative event, establishing PCR testing as the gold standard for infectious disease diagnosis and accelerating adoption across the veterinary sector. National surveillance programs for African swine fever, avian influenza, and other notifiable diseases rely heavily on molecular diagnostic testing. Beyond infectious disease testing, molecular diagnostics are increasingly utilized for genetic screening, breed-specific disease risk assessment, and oncology testing. The number of commercial laboratories offering molecular diagnostic services has grown substantially, with PCR testing capacity expanding significantly since 2019. Next-generation sequencing services, while still in early adoption stages, are emerging for advanced applications including pathogen discovery and antimicrobial resistance profiling.
• Others encompasses microbiology, parasitology, toxicology, and anatomic pathology services. These specialized services are critical for comprehensive diagnostic workups and are typically outsourced to reference laboratories due to the specialized equipment and expertise required. Parasitology testing remains essential for routine wellness screening, particularly in livestock production. Anatomic pathology supports cancer diagnosis and surgical planning, with growing demand driven by increased cancer incidence in aging pets. Toxicology testing is increasingly important for food safety and export compliance in livestock production, as China maintains stringent food safety standards for domestic consumption and export markets.

China Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Overview, 2031 By Animal Type
• Companion Animals represent the largest revenue-generating animal type segment in the Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market, driven by the large companion animal population and increasing pet healthcare expenditure. With approximately 58 million dogs and 67 million cats, and pet owners spending an average of over RMB 4,000 annually on their pets, companion animal testing represents the primary revenue driver for commercial reference laboratories. The growing prevalence of chronic conditions, including osteoarthritis, diabetes, renal disease, and cancer, drives demand for routine and specialized diagnostic testing. Approximately 70 million households own at least one pet, with pet ownership concentrated in urban areas. The market is characterized by increasing demand for advanced diagnostics as pet owners become more aware of available diagnostic options and willing to invest in comprehensive veterinary care.
• Livestock Animals represent a substantial and growing segment of the Chinese market. China has the world's largest livestock population, including approximately 400 million pigs, 100 million cattle, and 300 million poultry, driving substantial demand for herd health management, food safety testing, reproductive testing, and disease surveillance. The national animal disease surveillance system, coordinated by MARA through national and provincial reference laboratories, conducts surveillance programs for foreign animal diseases including African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and highly pathogenic avian influenza. The African swine fever outbreak drove unprecedented testing volumes, with over 100 million PCR tests conducted between 2019 and 2025. Livestock producers increasingly send samples to reference laboratories to control outbreaks that threaten herd health and productivity. Food safety testing for export compliance is a significant driver, as Chinese livestock products must meet stringent international food safety standards for export markets.

China Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market Overview, 2031 By End User
• Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics represent the largest end-user segment in the Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market. With approximately 20,000 veterinary clinics and hospitals across the country, general practices increasingly outsource complex tests to reference laboratories to avoid the overhead of specialized equipment and staff. Commercial reference laboratories have established extensive sample collection and logistics networks to serve geographically dispersed veterinary practices. Major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have high concentrations of veterinary practices that utilize reference laboratory services. The growth of specialty veterinary hospitals and referral centers has increased demand for comprehensive diagnostic testing. Corporate veterinary hospital chains, including New Ruipeng Pet Healthcare Group, have consolidated reference laboratory purchasing decisions.
• Research Institutes represent a significant end-user segment. Academic veterinary institutions, pharmaceutical research organizations, and animal-health research institutions rely on reference laboratories for advanced molecular testing, genetic analysis, and disease surveillance studies. Leading research institutions including the China Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, and the Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute conduct research programs that require high-complexity reference laboratory testing. The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China continue to fund veterinary research programs that require reference laboratory support. Research institutes demand research-grade analytics and specialized testing services, driving demand for high-complexity reference laboratory testing.
• In-House Laboratories represent a complementary channel. Veterinary practices and animal-health facilities maintain internal laboratory capabilities for routine testing, utilizing reference laboratories for specialized, confirmatory, high-complexity, or testing services that cannot be efficiently performed internally. Point-of-care and in-house testing is growing rapidly due to technological advancements, though reference laboratories remain essential for complex and high-volume testing. The in-house channel is primarily used to calculate the outsourcing rate, not double-counted as market revenue. Veterinary diagnostic equipment manufacturers have expanded in-house testing capabilities through portable analyzers and rapid test kits, enabling rapid results for routine tests.

China Veterinary Reference Laboratory Procedure Economics
• Veterinary reference laboratory testing in China represents a critical component of comprehensive veterinary care, requiring specialized equipment, trained personnel, quality control, and timely reporting.
• IDEXX Laboratories, the global market leader, maintains a substantial presence in China through its wholly-owned subsidiary, IDEXX Laboratories (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., which distributes veterinary diagnostic products and services. Zoetis Inc., the world's leading animal health company, has expanded its diagnostic portfolio in China through strategic partnerships and local manufacturing arrangements. Domestic diagnostic manufacturers, including Beijing Tomorrow Technology, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotechnology, and Shenzhen Mindray, have developed competitive veterinary diagnostic portfolios that address the growing demand for affordable testing options.
• In veterinary hospitals and clinics, the cost of a comprehensive diagnostic workup including clinical chemistry, hematology, and immunodiagnostics ranges from approximately RMB 300 to RMB 1,000 depending on the complexity of the test panel, geographic location, and laboratory pricing. Routine diagnostic tests include blood work (RMB 100-300), urinalysis (RMB 50-100), and radiography (RMB 100-300). Molecular diagnostic tests, including PCR panels and genetic testing, typically range from RMB 100 to RMB 500+ per test, representing a growing revenue source for reference laboratories.
• In research institutes, the cost of advanced molecular testing and genetic analysis varies widely depending on the complexity of the assay, sample volume, and research protocols. Academic institutions often negotiate volume discounts and research pricing with reference laboratories. The national surveillance program receives government funding to support diagnostic testing for notifiable diseases, reducing costs for participating laboratories and ensuring surveillance coverage.
• In-house laboratory testing represents a competitive channel, with point-of-care analyzers enabling rapid results for routine tests. However, reference laboratories remain essential for specialized, high-complexity, and confirmatory testing that cannot be efficiently performed in-house. The increasing adoption of advanced diagnostic technologies is expected to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the need for repeat testing, improving long-term cost-effectiveness.

Market Overview, 2031 Outlook by Healthcare Spending and Infrastructure
• Chinese veterinary reference laboratory market growth is strongly linked to pet healthcare expenditure and veterinary infrastructure modernization. With the pet market reaching RMB 300 billion in 2025 and a companion animal population exceeding 120 million, the addressable market continues to expand. Pet insurance penetration remains low compared to developed markets, estimated at less than 1%, but is growing gradually as awareness increases. The average annual expenditure per pet has increased significantly, driven by urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and changing attitudes toward pet care.
• Veterinary healthcare infrastructure continues to expand, with approximately 20,000 veterinary clinics and hospitals and new facilities added annually. The national veterinary reference laboratory network, comprising over 200 laboratories across the country, provides critical infrastructure for disease surveillance and outbreak response. Government investment in veterinary infrastructure under the 14th Five-Year Plan has supported the modernization of national and regional reference laboratories, including upgrades to Biosafety Level 3 facilities. The China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center (CAHEC) coordinates the national laboratory network, providing technical guidance, proficiency testing, and reference standards.
• Private healthcare expenditure plays an increasingly important role, especially for advanced diagnostic testing and specialty veterinary care. Private veterinary hospitals and specialty referral centers in metropolitan regions are expanding diagnostic capabilities to capture demand for comprehensive testing services. Corporate veterinary hospital chains, including New Ruipeng Pet Healthcare Group with over 800 clinics across China, are consolidating reference laboratory purchasing decisions and driving demand for standardized diagnostic services. The emergence of telemedicine platforms and remote diagnostic consultation services is expanding access to veterinary diagnostic expertise beyond major urban centers.
• The future growth opportunity for veterinary reference laboratories in China depends on improving access to specialized diagnostic services, expanding the network of commercial and government reference laboratories, increasing adoption of molecular diagnostics, strengthening preventive care programs, and continuing to advance diagnostic technologies. Greater integration of artificial intelligence, digital pathology, and remote monitoring will likely become key strategies for extending specialized diagnostic capabilities beyond major urban centers. The Chinese government's strategic emphasis on animal health security, food safety, and the "One Health" approach provides a favorable policy environment for continued market growth. The China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center and the National Reference Laboratory network remain critical to protecting Chinese animal health, public health, and the security of the food supply


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base year: 2025
• Estimated year: 2026
• Forecast year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
• Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Service Type
• Clinical Chemistry
• Hematology
• Immunodiagnostics
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Others

By Animal Type
• Companion Animals
• Livestock Animals

By End User
• Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics
• Research Institutes
• In-House Laboratories