Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for horse, donkey, and mule meat in Kazakhstan increased from 128.9 thousand tons to 170.4 thousand tons, showing steady growth. This expansion was supported by deep cultural traditions of horse breeding, which are integral to Kazakh agriculture, and by a rising horse population that provided the raw material base for increased production.

The growth was further driven by the activity of major meat processing enterprises, such as TOO 'Rubikom' and the 'Meat Union of Kazakhstan', which invested in expanding processing capacity. State support programs for the meat industry also contributed to scaling up output and maintaining production momentum.

External factors, including the tenge depreciation which made imported meat less affordable and encouraged domestic consumption, and the COVID-19 pandemic which affected global supply chains, did not halt the market's expansion. Strong local demand for traditional meats ensured resilience and continued growth throughout the period.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Kazakhstan was the world's second-largest producer of horse, donkey, and mule meat from 2017 to 2020.

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

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

Kazakhstan's production of horse, donkey, and mule meat grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 142.8 thousand tons, an increase of 8.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.7%.

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

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018, while the highest was recorded in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 63 times. In 2020, Kazakhstan exported 42 tons of horse, donkey, and mule meat, marking a sharp decline of 75.3% from 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the dominant destination for Kazakhstan's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat, consistently accounting for 99.2% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, and the highest in 2020, with a fluctuation of 51 times. In 2020, Kazakhstan exported 127 thousand US dollars worth of horse, donkey, and mule meat, down 77.0% from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia clearly dominated as the top buyer of horse, donkey, and mule meat from Kazakhstan, representing 98.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Kazakhstan imported 2 103 tons of horse, donkey, and mule meat, a significant decrease of 17.7% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 21%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.5%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina (38.7% of imports by volume), Uruguay (23.5%), and Mongolia (19.1%) accounted for the largest share of Kazakhstan's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat, together making up 81.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Kazakhstan's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat declined. In 2020, the country imported approximately 4 839 thousand US dollars worth, which is 19.9% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 041 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 11.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Argentina (35.0% of imports by value), Uruguay (26.3%), and Mongolia (19.5%) accounted for the largest share of Kazakhstan's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms, together comprising 80.8% of total flows.

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

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