Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Central American market for fresh, chilled, or frozen horse, donkey, and mule meat remained relatively stable, with annual volumes fluctuating within a narrow range of 75,000 to 77,000 tonnes. The market size reached its highest point in 2021 at 77,044 tonnes after a gradual recovery from a slight dip in 2019.

Year-to-year changes were minor, typically below 2%, reflecting a market driven almost entirely by domestic production. Import and export activities were negligible throughout the period, insulating the regional volume from international trade fluctuations.

The market during these years was characterized by very limited international sales and an absence of major regulatory shifts, new player entries, or large facility openings, contributing to a consistent and localized supply pattern.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

After a two-year decline, horse, donkey, and mule meat production in Central America increased. In 2020, production reached 76 832 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 4.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 76 475 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2019, export volumes varied by a factor of two. In 2019, Central America's horse, donkey, and mule meat exports totaled 983.0 tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 101.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 488.9 tonnes, with the largest decline also occurring in 2018 at 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Japan were the key players in the export of horse, donkey, and mule meat from Central America, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign horse, donkey, and mule meat supplies from Central America increased for the second consecutive year. In 2019, Central America exported 3 436 thousand US dollars worth of horse, donkey, and mule meat, showing a dramatic uptick of 59.6% compared to 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports grew by 79.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Japan remained the two key markets for exports in value terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Central America

Imports in kind, t

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in kind were heavily focused on the United States, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States was the key partner for imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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