Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh, chilled or frozen horse, donkey and mule meat in Northern America stood at 15 670 t in 2018, with supply influenced by imports from Canada. Over the next two years, the market contracted, falling to 14 617 t in 2020. This decline coincided with a drop in the price of horse meat to $3.67 per kg, reflecting lower demand or increased availability that reduced both volume and value.

A sharp reversal began in 2021 as the market volume rebounded to 16 246 t. This recovery was accompanied by a significant price increase to $5.65 per kg, indicating a surge in consumer demand or tighter supply conditions that drove the market upward in both physical and value terms.

Growth then moderated, with the market reaching 16 661 t in 2023. The price adjusted to $4.00 per kg in 2022, signaling a stabilization of market conditions after the previous period of volatility, as the sector settled into a new balance.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, 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 Northern America has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, production reached 18 684 tons, marking a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 11.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of horse, donkey, and mule meat production in Northern America has dropped for two years in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 146.7 million US dollars, a 9.9% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 165.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.7% that year.

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

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Northern America exported 4 066 tons of horse, donkey, and mule meat, a significant 17.5% decline from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when exports rose by 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, France, and Switzerland were the primary destinations for horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from Northern America. Japan accounted for 43.7% of exports in kind, France for 20.5%, and Switzerland for 10.0%, together making up 74.3% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from Northern America was 31 924 thousand US dollars, down 20.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 22.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 8.2%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 4.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, France, and Switzerland consistently led in the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from Northern America. Japan represented 54.6% of export value, France 18.6%, and Switzerland 15.2%, collectively accounting for 88.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Horse, donkey, and mule meat imports into Northern America have declined for two consecutive years. In 2019, imports totaled 0.0 tons, a sharp 60.0% drop from 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, imports decreased by 95.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -63.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark and Iceland were the main sources of horse, donkey, and mule meat imports into Northern America, together accounting for 18.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of horse, donkey, and mule meat imports into Northern America has fallen for two years in a row. In 2019, imports were valued at 0.1 thousand US dollars, a 60.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, import value declined by 86.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -49.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark and Iceland stood out as the key suppliers of horse, donkey, and mule meat to Northern America, together forming 54.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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