Market research

Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Argentina

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market volume for horse, donkey and mule meat in Argentina showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. It expanded from 8 295 tonnes in 2018 to 12 805 tonnes in 2019, contracted to 9 857 tonnes in 2020, and then surged to a peak of 15 456 tonnes in 2021. The following two years saw a downward trend, with the market size falling to 11 056 tonnes in 2022 and further to 8 581 tonnes in 2023.

The market is predominantly export-oriented, with Argentina being a major global exporter of horse meat. In 2022, the industry relied on four slaughterhouses authorized by SENASA, processing animals not originally intended for consumption. By 2024, the country consolidated its export leadership by accessing new markets in Oman and Namibia, while domestic consumption remained minimal due to cultural preferences.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Argentina
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Argentina ranked 7th globally in horse, donkey, and mule meat production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Argentina's production of horse, donkey, and mule meat declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 20 463 tonnes, which was 17.4% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 10.1%, averaging a 3.5% annual decrease. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 26 228 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.2%	(5.5%)	(17.4%)	(3.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of horse, donkey, and mule meat production in Argentina dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 63 811 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 28.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.7%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 99 333 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 22.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	22.5%	(9.9%)	(28.7%)	(7.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Argentina's export volume of horse, donkey, and mule meat fell for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 10 606 tonnes, representing a significant drop of 11.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 38.4%, with an average annual decrease of 14.9%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 17 933 tonnes, which saw a 4.1% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 33.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.1%	(33.2%)	(11.4%)	(14.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Belgium, and the Netherlands were the primary markets for Argentina's horse, donkey, and mule meat exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 34.7% of exports, Belgium for 29.9%, and the Netherlands for 10.8%, together making up 75.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Argentina's export value of horse, donkey, and mule meat decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 33 075 thousand US dollars, down 23.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 46.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 67 916 thousand US dollars, which saw a 10.6% increase. The largest decline happened in 2019, with a 36.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.6%	(36.3%)	(23.5%)	(18.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Belgium, Russia, and Italy were the leading destinations for Argentina's horse, donkey, and mule meat exports in value terms. Belgium represented 37.9% of exports, Russia 22.7%, and Italy 10.3%, collectively accounting for 71.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io