Asia: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2024

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Asia

In 2022, the Asian market for horse, mule and donkey meat was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, showed a pronounced decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Asia

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 278% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons) and Mongolia (X tons), together comprising 91% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mongolia (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average horse, mule and donkey meat yield dropped modestly to X kg per head in 2022, flattening at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, the horse, mule and donkey meat yield reached the maximum level at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Asia; surging by 3.1% against the previous year. In general, the number of producing animals, however, recorded a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports in Asia

In 2022, overseas shipments of horse, mule and donkey meat increased by 66% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 227% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 212%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mongolia dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2022. Iran (X tons) and China (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Mongolia increased at an average annual rate of +20.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, China (+49.1%) and Iran (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, China emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +49.1% from 2012-2022. While the share of Mongolia (+20 p.p.) and China (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Iran (-13.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Mongolia ($X) remains the largest horse, mule and donkey meat supplier in Asia, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 14% share of total exports.

In Mongolia, horse, mule and donkey meat exports increased at an average annual rate of +17.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+47.8% per year) and Iran (-0.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -1.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 18%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Mongolia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-0.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports in Asia

In 2022, overseas purchases of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -7.2% to X tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after seven years of growth. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a noticeable expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 96% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a temperate expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Japan (X tons), China (X tons) and Kazakhstan (X tons) represented the major importer of horse, mule and donkey meat in Asia, achieving 88% of total import. It was distantly followed by Vietnam (X tons), generating a 6.9% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Hong Kong SAR (with a CAGR of +81.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported horse, mule and donkey meat in Asia, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Kazakhstan, with a 14% share.

In Japan, horse, mule and donkey meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+46.1% per year) and Kazakhstan (-6.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 20% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 22% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :