Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for horse, donkey and mule meat in Latin America and the Caribbean increased from 120 thousand tons in 2018 to 135 thousand tons in 2021, before declining to 121 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market reached $476 million in 2022, up from $442 million in 2018, but fell to $438 million by 2023.

Export demand from key European markets like Italy, Belgium, and France supported regional production, with Argentina being a major exporter. In 2022, Argentina accounted for $61.7 million in exports, underscoring its central role in the trade.

By 2024, regulatory discussions emerged, such as a proposed ban on horse slaughter in Brazil, which could affect supply. In Argentina, formal production is concentrated in four slaughterhouses approved by SENASA, employing thousands directly and indirectly.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Horse, donkey, and mule meat production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production remained flat compared to 2019, with 149.7 thousand tons produced. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Horse, donkey, and mule meat production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 476.2 million US dollars, marking a solid decrease of 10.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 553.9 million US dollars, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018, at 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Latin America and the Caribbean's volume of horse, donkey, and mule meat exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 20 466 tons, representing a notable decrease of 14.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 30 340 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for exports in kind of horse, donkey, and mule meat from Latin America and the Caribbean were Russia (28.2% of exports in kind), Belgium (26.3% of exports in kind), and Vietnam (13.7% of exports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 68.2% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported horse, donkey, and mule meat volumes from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 65.1 million US dollars worth of horse, donkey, and mule meat, marking a notable contraction of 23.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 35.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 111.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium (32.9% of exports in value terms), Russia (19.4% of exports in value terms), and France (10.9% of exports in value terms) remained the key destinations for exports in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. From 2017 to 2020, imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 143-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported a total of value_last_year tons of horse, donkey, and mule meat, up by 1 582.0% versus the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 86.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6 084.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (1.2% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (1.0% of imports in kind), and Former Netherlands Antilles, excluding Aruba (0.6% of imports in kind) were the principal destinations for imports in kind. Together, these three accounted for 2.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. From 2017 to 2020, imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 37-fold variation. In 2020, foreign horse, donkey, and mule meat supplies to Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 0.3 million US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 1 038.8% over the past year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 74.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1 138.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017 to 2020, the United States (13.5% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (1.5% of imports in value terms), and Former Netherlands Antilles, excluding Aruba (0.8% of imports in value terms) made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms. Together, these three accounted for 15.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020