Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production of horse, donkey and mule meat in Western Africa grew steadily from 32 794 t to 37 335 t. This was accompanied by a consistent expansion of the market volume, which increased from 32 794 t to 42 819 t over the same six-year period.

The market volume growth accelerated notably in 2023, reaching 42 819 t. This surge was largely due to a significant rise in imports, which reached 5 493 t that year, while domestic production continued its moderate upward trend.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Western 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

Western Africa's production of horse, donkey, and mule meat has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 34 242 tonnes, marking a 1.5% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.7 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 134.2 tonnes, representing a 204-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 134.2 tonnes of horse, donkey, and mule meat, a sharp year-on-year gain of 59.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 98.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 12 646.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and China remained the leading markets for exports in volume terms, together accounting for 89.3% of total flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market experienced notable volatility during this period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 at 3 740 US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 76 765 US dollars, with a 21-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Western Africa exported 18 247 US dollars worth of horse, donkey, and mule meat, a decline of 76.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 94.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 1 952.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Vietnam dominated exports in value terms, accounting for 78.4% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over this period. Import volumes peaked in 2018 at 0.5 tonnes and fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 0.0 tonnes, a 10-fold decrease. In 2020, Western Africa imported 0.0 tonnes of horse, donkey, and mule meat, a dramatic contraction of 85.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 121.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China, France, and Spain formed the core group of markets for imports in volume terms, accounting for 27.8%, 20.6%, and 4.7% of imports, respectively, and together representing 53.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend during this timeframe. Import values bottomed in 2020 at 326 US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 1 564 US dollars, with a 4.8-fold difference. In 2020, Western Africa's import volume of horse, donkey, and mule meat amounted to 326 US dollars, down by 79.2% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 174.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, China, and Portugal were the principal destinations for imports in value terms, accounting for 49.9%, 12.8%, and 11.2% of imports, respectively, and jointly representing 73.9% of total flows.

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

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