Eastern Europe: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Eastern Europe

The East European market for horse, mule and donkey meat rose markedly to $X in 2022, increasing by 12% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a deep contraction. 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 Eastern Europe

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production expanded sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Russia (X tons) remains the largest horse, mule and donkey meat producing country in Eastern Europe, accounting for 63% of total volume. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Romania (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Poland (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Russia was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Romania (-0.4% per year) and Poland (-3.3% per year).

In 2022, the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield in Eastern Europe reduced modestly to X kg per head, leveling off at 2021. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the horse, mule and donkey meat yield attained the maximum level at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Eastern Europe amounted to X heads, with an increase of 1.7% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals, however, continues to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 3.4%. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports in Eastern Europe

Horse, mule and donkey meat exports declined to X tons in 2022, falling by -13.3% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 34%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) and Poland (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together comprising 93% of total exports. Bulgaria (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +3.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest horse, mule and donkey meat supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Poland ($X), Romania ($X) and Bulgaria ($X), with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Romania, with a CAGR of +7.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 8.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of horse, mule and donkey meat increased by 20% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt setback. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Russia prevails in imports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 77% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Bulgaria (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Romania (X tons), together committing a 16% share of total imports. Estonia (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to horse, mule and donkey meat imports into Russia stood at -12.8%. At the same time, Estonia (+9.8%) and Romania (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Estonia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +9.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Hungary (-12.5%) and Bulgaria (-13.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Romania and Estonia increased by +3.9 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported horse, mule and donkey meat in Eastern Europe, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Bulgaria ($X), with a 7% share of total imports. It was followed by Romania, with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Russia stood at -15.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Bulgaria (-11.0% per year) and Romania (+5.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Estonia ($X per ton) and Bulgaria ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) and Russia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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