Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of horse, donkey and mule meat in Brazil increased from 21 596 t to 22 648 t, supported by genetic improvement of donkeys and the rising valuation of mules for leisure and competitions, which expanded the animal population. The introduction of formal animal registration in 2021 temporarily reduced production to 22 138 t, but by 2022 it recovered to 22 467 t thanks to diversified supply, including mini mules and donkeys. Online platforms facilitating direct deals between breeders and buyers contributed to stabilization at 22 466 t in 2023.

Domestic market volume, calculated as production minus exports, showed significant volatility: starting at 17 734 t in 2018, it rose to 19 585 t in 2019 due to lower exports, dropped to 16 847 t in 2021 when exports surged to 5 291 t, then rebounded to 19 604 t in 2022. By 2023, market volume reached 19 872 t. Logistics enhancements, such as the e‑Dutra project for frozen meat, began optimizing the supply chain by 2024.

International tariff changes, including new U.S. duties, affected Brazilian meat exporters’ strategies by 2025. Simultaneously, the growth of the premium segment and Brazil’s increased share of the global meat market to 28% created opportunities for further development of horse meat exports, supported by advanced processing technologies and automated storage.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil ranked 8th globally in terms of horse, donkey, and mule meat production volume.

Top producers of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2018-2021

Brazil's horse, donkey, and mule meat production volume declined after a two-year increase. In 2021, production reached 22 138 tonnes, which was 2.2% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 2.5%, translating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 22 648 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Brazil's horse, donkey, and mule meat production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 59 528 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.6% gain compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value rose by 22.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Brazil's cross-border shipments of horse, donkey, and mule meat increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 5 291 tonnes, representing a sharp rise of 66.8% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 37%, with an annualized rate of 11.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 535 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 34.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Hong Kong, Russia, and Vietnam were the top contributors to Brazil's exports in kind, accounting for 29.7%, 24.2%, and 22.2% of the total, respectively. Together, these three markets made up 76.1% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2021, horse, donkey, and mule meat shipments from Brazil amounted to 14 227 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 80.3% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 090 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 30.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong, Russia, and Vietnam remained the main destinations for Brazil's horse, donkey, and mule meat exports in value terms, accounting for 26.0%, 25.7%, and 17.8% of the total, respectively. Collectively, these three markets represented 69.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Brazil

Based on market analysis, Brazil did not import any horse, donkey, or mule meat from 2018 to 2021.