Market research

Horse, donkey and mule meat market in MENA

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"MENA" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Bahrain

Djibouti

Egypt

Israel

Jordan

Iran

Iraq

Qatar

Kuwait

Lebanon

Libya

Malta

Morocco

the United Arab Emirates

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh, chilled, or frozen meat of horses, donkeys, mules, and hinnies in MENA declined from 2 780 tons in 2018 to 2 268 tons in 2023, with a notable 11% drop in 2023 driven by a surge in exports to 180 tons. A key driver behind this contraction was the rapid expansion of the global poultry market, where lower production costs and prices increased consumer preference for chicken meat over other types.

Regional developments shaped the market environment. In Qatar, growing demand for meat supported local production and imports between 2019 and 2020. Jordan's move to diversify red meat import sources from 21 origins and ensure strategic reserves intensified competition within the red meat segment. Meanwhile, increased supply chain complexity across the Middle East and Africa heightened the need for extended shelf life, boosting sales of frozen meat, including frozen horse and donkey products.

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 MENA
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in MENA 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. 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria 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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria 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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria 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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria 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 Algeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria 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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria 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 MENA

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

For the third year in a row, MENA's production of horse, donkey, and mule meat has declined. In 2020, the region produced 2 748 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.8% from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.9%)	(0.1%)	(0.8%)	(0.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from MENA

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, MENA exported 21 779 kg of horse, donkey, and mule meat, representing a dramatic increase of 2,535.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 7,697.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 327.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2 535.4%	n/a	n/a	327.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Bangladesh was the primary destination for horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from MENA, accounting for 73.0% 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 MENA in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from MENA reached 85.6 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 2,773.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export values grew by 8,408.1%, with an annualized rate of 339.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2 773.6%	n/a	n/a	339.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh led in terms of export value for horse, donkey, and mule meat from MENA, holding a 73.8% share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to MENA

Imports in kind, kg

For the third consecutive year, MENA's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat have fallen. In 2020, the region imported 8 304 kg, which is a significant drop of 35.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 79.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -40.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(66.8%)	(4.0%)	(35.1%)	(40.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Belgium consistently made up 77.1% of MENA's total imports by volume, highlighting a strong reliance on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

For the third year in a row, cross-border shipments of horse, donkey, and mule meat into MENA have declined. In 2020, the import value stood at 43.1 thousand US dollars, down 29.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import values fell by 76%, with a CAGR of -37.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(63.0%)	(8.7%)	(29.1%)	(37.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, Belgium dominated the import value of horse, donkey, and mule meat to MENA, capturing 76.8% of total flows, while other countries each held much smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io