Horse, donkey and mule meat market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for horse, donkey and mule meat in South Africa expanded consistently from 2018 to 2021, with volume growing from 1 156 t to 1 267 t. This upward trend was driven entirely by domestic production, as imports and exports remained absent during these years.

Growth continued through 2022 and 2023, with the market reaching 1 316 t. The National Agricultural Marketing Council's market access programme for smallholder farmers, launched in 2022, likely improved distribution channels and supported volume. Concurrent shifts in consumer meat preferences, signaled by mixed beef and pork prices alongside rising poultry costs, may have bolstered demand for alternative meats like horse meat.

In 2024, agricultural trade reports indicated a decrease in imports of live animals including horses, asses, and mules, pointing to potential changes in supply chains or market access conditions for the sector. The active involvement of the Red Meat Abattoir Association also underscored ongoing industry efforts to shape standards and regulation.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in South Africa

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

South Africa's production of horse, donkey, and mule meat increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 237 tons, marking a 3.2% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 9.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 1 156 tons, when production dropped by 15.3%—the steepest decrease in this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production growing by 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from South Africa

Exports in kind, kg

In 2018, South Africa exported 300 kg of horse, donkey, and mule meat, representing a sharp decline of 93.8% from the year before.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eswatini was the dominant destination for South Africa's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in volume terms, accounting for 74.9% of the total. Other countries each held much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, South Africa's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms amounted to 0.5 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic 99.0% drop compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eswatini and the Maldives were the primary destinations for South Africa's exports of horse, donkey, and mule meat in value terms, together making up 99.0% of total flows. Other partners individually accounted for far less significant shares.

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

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

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to South Africa

Imports in kind, kg

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the nearly exclusive supplier of horse, donkey, and mule meat to South Africa in volume terms, holding 100.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat to South Africa in value terms were almost entirely linked to Brazil, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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