Market research

Horse, donkey and mule meat market in China

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The market for horse, donkey, and mule meat in China expanded in volume from 315 thousand tons in 2018 to 369 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was partly driven by active foreign trade, including exports to Japan, which supported production, alongside the broader influence of state policy on the sector.

After peaking in 2020, market volume contracted by 23% to 285 thousand tons in 2021, reflecting a market adjustment. It recovered to 333 thousand tons in 2022, though no specific drivers were highlighted in the sources for these movements.

In 2023, the market volume fell again to 280 thousand tons, with its value dropping 29% to $4.1 billion. This decline coincided with growing import dependency, as imports reached a 15% share, and the impact of global supply chain disruptions that raised import prices, affecting domestic supply and consumer costs.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in China
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in China 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, K 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, K 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 China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China 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 China in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China 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/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China 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 China in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China 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/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China 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 China in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China 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/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China 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 China in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China 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/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China was the leading producer of horse, donkey, and mule meat 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

China's production of horse, donkey, and mule meat grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 349.8 thousand tons, an increase of 8.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 26.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.3%	12.5%	8.9%	8.2%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat output in China was 4 961 million US dollars, down 2.9% from 2019. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 4 392 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 5 108 million US dollars. The sharpest decline was 12.0% in 2018, and the largest increase was 16.3% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.0%)	16.3%	(2.9%)	(0.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from China

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes fluctuated widely, with a 16-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, China's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat totaled 107 tons, a decrease of 17.5% from the previous year. The peak was 129 tons in 2019, and the largest increase was 823.5% in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	823.5%	72.5%	(17.5%)	136.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China's exports in kind were highly concentrated, with Japan accounting for 100.0% of the total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited notable fluctuations over this period. Export values varied by 14 times, reaching a minimum in 2017 and a maximum in 2019. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 515 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 26.4% compared to the previous year. The highest value was 2 058 thousand US dollars in 2019, and the largest increase was 687.1% in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	687.1%	78.2%	(26.4%)	117.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of export values was heavily reliant on Japan, which represented 100.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to China

Imports in kind, t

China's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 18 856 tons, down 33.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.8%. The highest volume was 29 441 tons in 2018, and the largest increase was 26.5% in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	26.5%	(4.0%)	(33.3%)	(6.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Mongolia was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of horse, donkey, and mule meat to China, making up 99.8% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

China's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 35 593 thousand US dollars, a 32.8% drop year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 27.3%, with an average annual decrease of 10.1%. The peak value was 57 008 thousand US dollars in 2018, and the largest increase was 16.5% in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.5%	(7.0%)	(32.8%)	(10.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, Mongolia was the key and nearly exclusive source for China's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms, accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io