Market research

Horse, donkey and mule meat market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

The production of fresh, chilled or frozen horse, donkey and mule meat in ECOWAS increased consistently from 29 313 tonnes in 2018 to 33 047 tonnes in 2023, reflecting a steady expansion of domestic output.

Market volume grew from 29 313 tonnes in 2018 to 38 531 tonnes in 2023. This acceleration was driven by a substantial rise in imports, which entered the market at 566 tonnes in 2022 and surged to 5 493 tonnes in 2023, significantly boosting total supply.

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 ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, 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, 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 Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin 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/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin 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/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin 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/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin 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/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin 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 ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

ECOWAS has seen horse, donkey, and mule meat production rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 30 679 tonnes of this meat, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 2.5%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.7%	2.1%	2.5%	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable pattern over this period. Export volumes dropped sharply from their high in 2017 to a low in 2018, with a 75-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS exported 25 160 kg of horse, donkey, and mule meat, representing a dramatic 98.7% decrease compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(98.7%)	n/a	n/a	(20.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was by far the largest buyer of horse, donkey, and mule meat from ECOWAS, accounting for 99.1% of total exports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, $ US

The data points to irregular shifts, highlighting a volatile market. Between 2017 and 2018, export values swung from peak to trough by a factor of 17. In 2020, the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from ECOWAS was 12 189 US dollars, showing a steep 94.3% drop from 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(94.3%)	n/a	n/a	(42.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Vietnam dominated the export value of horse, donkey, and mule meat from ECOWAS, making up 95.4% of total export earnings.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, kg

The data indicates irregular movements, suggesting a turbulent market. Import volumes varied widely, with a 10-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, ECOWAS imported 47 kg of horse, donkey, and mule meat, a sharp 85.6% decline from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 471 kg, with the largest increase occurring that year at 121.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	121.2%	(30.5%)	(85.6%)	(39.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—China, France, and Spain—collectively represented 53.0% of total horse, donkey, and mule meat imports by volume into ECOWAS.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, $ US

Market performance showed notable ups and downs during this time. Imports fell from a peak in 2019 to a trough in 2020, with a 4.8-fold decrease. In 2020, the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat imports into ECOWAS was 326 US dollars, down 79.2% from the previous year. The highest value was in 2019 at 1 564 US dollars, with the biggest increase that year at 174.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	25.0%	174.4%	(79.2%)	(10.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France (49.9% of import value), China (12.8%), and Portugal (11.2%) were the main sources of horse, donkey, and mule meat imports by value into ECOWAS, together accounting for 73.9% of total import spending.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io