Market research

Horse, donkey and mule meat market in CIS

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"CIS" region includes following countries:

Azerbaijan

Armenia

Belarus

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Moldova

Russia

Tajikistan

Uzbekistan

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh, chilled or frozen horse, donkey and mule meat in the CIS grew from 172.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 211.9 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was driven by a steady increase in domestic production, which rose from 159.0 to 205.1 thousand tons, supported by state-owned horse breeding farms and government policies promoting import substitution. These measures encouraged local meat processors to boost output while reducing reliance on imports.

Import volumes declined from 13.9 to 7.0 thousand tons over the period, partly due to maintained import quotas on fresh and chilled beef that limited foreign competition. Concurrently, rising consumer interest in horse meat as a lean, high-protein dietary option stimulated demand and supported the development of premium product segments. In 2024, imports further decreased to 4.6 thousand tons, consistent with ongoing import restrictions and strong domestic production incentives.

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 CIS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2018-2023, K t
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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Azerbaijan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Azerbaijan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Azerbaijan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Azerbaijan by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Azerbaijan, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Azerbaijan 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 CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Horse, donkey, and mule meat production in the CIS has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 176.5 thousand tons, marking an 8.0% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.1%	2.8%	8.0%	5.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Horse, donkey, and mule meat production in the CIS has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 792.1 million US dollars, representing a 25.7% year-on-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 48.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.8%	0.9%	25.7%	14.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from CIS

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 1.8-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, the CIS exported 206 tons of horse, donkey, and mule meat, down 7.4% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 223 tons, with the largest increase of 73.8% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.1%	73.8%	(7.4%)	18.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the main partner for exports in kind, accounting for 4.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from the CIS have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 926 thousand US dollars, a 7.8% rise year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 106.7%, with an annualized rate of 27.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.4%	70.6%	7.8%	27.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the single largest buyer of horse, donkey, and mule meat from the CIS, taking 8.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Horse, donkey, and mule meat imports into the CIS have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 10 224 tons, down 13.8% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 30.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.1%)	(14.6%)	(13.8%)	(11.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (47.5% of imports in kind), Uruguay (16.1%), and Mongolia (12.4%) were the key sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 75.9% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Horse, donkey, and mule meat imports into the CIS have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 26 924 thousand US dollars, an 11.5% decrease year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 20.8%, with an annualized decline of 7.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 666 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 4.9% that year and the largest decline of 14.7% in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.9%	(14.7%)	(11.5%)	(7.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (46.1% of imports in value terms), Uruguay (16.8%), and Mongolia (11.5%) were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of horse, donkey, and mule meat imports into the CIS, with a combined share of 74.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io