Denmark: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Denmark

In 2022, the Danish market for horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -5.1% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Denmark

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. Horse, mule and donkey meat production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in Denmark soared to X kg per head, picking up by 17% against 2021. Over the period under review, the yield indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, horse, mule and donkey meat yield decreased by -13.3% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 98% 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 remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Denmark shrank modestly to X head, dropping by -2.4% compared with the year before. Overall, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 17%. The number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production peaked at X heads in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports from Denmark

In 2022, exports of horse, mule and donkey meat from Denmark surged to X tons, picking up by 48% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 72%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 59% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Finland (X tons) was the main destination for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Denmark, accounting for a 80% share of total exports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat exports to Finland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Finland stood at +17.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (-12.9% per year) and Ireland (+18.9% per year).

In value terms, Finland ($X) remains the key foreign market for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Denmark, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Finland amounted to +16.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (-13.4% per year) and Ireland (+14.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -17.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 15%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($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 Italy (+1.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Denmark

In 2022, supplies from abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by 0% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 8.2%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports amounted to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Iceland (X tons) was the main supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to Denmark, accounting for a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Iceland stood at +348.2%.

In value terms, Iceland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to Denmark.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Iceland amounted to +247.6%.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 200%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Iceland.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Ireland amounted to -18.7% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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