Germany: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Germany

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the German market for horse, mule and donkey meat, when its value decreased by -5.1% to $X. Overall, consumption showed a pronounced decline. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Germany

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 18%. Horse, mule and donkey meat production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in Germany contracted to X kg per head in 2022, which is down by -10.5% compared with 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the yield increased by 24%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head, and then shrank in the following year.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Germany expanded markedly to X heads, with an increase of 10% compared with the previous year. In general, the number of producing animals, however, faced a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports from Germany

Horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Germany declined remarkably to X tons in 2022, which is down by -33.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum 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 reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 60%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Germany, accounting for a 78% share of total exports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X tons), sevenfold. Austria (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands totaled +13.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (0.0% per year) and Austria (+11.4% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Germany, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 5.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands stood at +20.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (0.0% per year) and Austria (+7.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -25.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Poland ($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 Belgium (+8.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Germany

In 2022, approx. X tons of horse, mule and donkey meat were imported into Germany; waning by -33.2% on the previous year. Overall, imports, however, showed a slight expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 35%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -35.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 36%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons), Argentina (X tons) and Iceland (X tons) were the main suppliers of horse, mule and donkey meat imports to Germany, together accounting for 90% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iceland (with a CAGR of +61.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Argentina ($X), Belgium ($X) and Uruguay ($X) constituted the largest horse, mule and donkey meat suppliers to Germany, together accounting for 91% of total imports. Iceland, the Netherlands, France, Romania and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.6%.

Iceland, with a CAGR of +71.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 14% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 15%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Uruguay ($X per ton), while the price for Iceland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ireland (+12.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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