Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian market for horse, donkey and mule meat grew strongly between 2018 and 2020, with total volume increasing from 515 thousand tons to 646 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by a steady rise in domestic production, which peaked at 639 thousand tons in 2020. Import volumes during the initial phase showed some fluctuation, with notable variations in chilled and frozen horse meat supplies from key origins like Mexico within the year.

Market volume contracted sharply in 2021 to 543 thousand tons, a decline of 16%, before recovering to 619 thousand tons in 2022. However, by 2023, the market had decreased again to 533 thousand tons, reflecting continued volatility in production and trade flows throughout the period.

Towards the end of the reviewed period, market dynamics were increasingly influenced by evolving consumer preferences in major consuming markets such as China. These included a growing focus on food safety, stricter quality control, and the adoption of advanced freezing technology to maintain product freshness. The development of diverse frozen, processed, and seasoned meat products, alongside industry efforts to modernize donkey farming, also began to shape supply conditions.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Asia's production of horse, donkey, and mule meat has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 639.3 thousand tonnes, which represents a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 34.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied widely, with a 7.7-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the peak in 2018. In 2020, Asia's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat totaled 9 287 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 40.3% from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 794 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 667.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the leading market for Asia's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in volume terms, accounting for 4.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 34.8 million US dollars, reflecting a sudden drop of 41.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 66.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 47.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia clearly dominated the country structure of exports in value terms, capturing a 5.2% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Asia

Imports in kind, t

Asia's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in volume terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 16 544 tonnes, indicating a 26.3% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 23.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -8.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 22 778 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, imports in volume terms were spread across a diverse range of partner countries. Canada (8.1% of imports), Argentina (5.6%), and Mexico (2.3%) together accounted for just 16.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 34.8 million US dollars, showing a decrease of 29.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 19.2%, with an annualized rate of -6.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 109.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Asia's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms. Canada (22.9% of imports), Argentina (9.2%), and Poland (6.1%) collectively represented only 38.3% of total imports, while numerous smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020