Belgium: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Belgium

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in the Belgian market for horse, mule and donkey meat, when its value decreased by -3.2% to $X. Overall, consumption saw a mild slump. Horse, mule and donkey meat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Belgium

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 18%. Horse, mule and donkey meat production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in Belgium totaled X kg per head, leveling off at 2021. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 3.5% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Belgium; remaining stable against 2021. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production peaked at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports from Belgium

For the fifth consecutive year, Belgium recorded decline in shipments abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat, which decreased by -2.1% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 6.2%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 8.8%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Belgium, with a combined 79% share of total exports. The Netherlands, Switzerland and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Switzerland (with a CAGR of +19.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest markets for horse, mule and donkey meat exported from Belgium were France ($X), Italy ($X) and Switzerland ($X), with a combined 78% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Switzerland, with a CAGR of +25.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 2.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Finland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Switzerland (+4.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, purchases abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -5.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 9.3%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 25%. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) were the main suppliers of horse, mule and donkey meat imports to Belgium, together accounting for 75% of total imports. Uruguay, Spain, France, Bulgaria and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +57.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Romania ($X) and Argentina ($X) constituted the largest horse, mule and donkey meat suppliers to Belgium, with a combined 76% share of total imports. Uruguay, Spain, France, Bulgaria and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Among the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +62.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $X per ton, rising by 6.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 14%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Uruguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+12.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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