EU: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in the EU

In 2022, the EU market for horse, mule and donkey meat increased by 12% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decline. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in the EU

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Romania (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Poland (X tons), with a combined 55% share of total production. France, Italy, the Netherlands and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +30.8%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

In 2022, the average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in the European Union amounted to X kg per head, surging by 3.4% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the horse, mule and donkey meat yield hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in the European Union expanded to X heads, growing by 1.5% on the previous year. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals, however, recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the number of producing animals increased by 3.2%. The level of producing animals peaked 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 the EU

Horse, mule and donkey meat exports shrank to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -10.3% on the previous year's figure. Overall, exports showed a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 9%. Over the period under review, the exports reached 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 shrank to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 17%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Belgium (X tons), Romania (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together accounting for 91% of total export. It was distantly followed by France (X tons), constituting a 5.5% 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 more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), Poland ($X) and Romania ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 59% share of total exports.

Romania, with a CAGR of +7.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -1.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 13%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of horse, mule and donkey meat imported in the European Union fell to X tons, waning by -4.2% against 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 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 continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Italy (X tons) represented the main importer of horse, mule and donkey meat, constituting 47% of total imports. Belgium (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 25% share, followed by France (13%) and the Netherlands (5.5%). The following importers - Finland (X tons) and Germany (X tons) - each accounted for a 4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +1.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, Italy ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported horse, mule and donkey meat in the European Union, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Italy stood at +2.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-5.4% per year) and France (-7.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 5.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 9.4% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 France ($X per ton), while Finland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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