Hungary: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Hungary

The Hungarian market for horse, mule and donkey meat soared to $X in 2022, with an increase of 80% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a resilient increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Hungary

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production posted a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 72%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield in Hungary was estimated at X kg per head, remaining stable against the year before. Overall, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, approx. X head of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Hungary; increasing by 4.3% on 2021. Overall, the number of producing animals posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the number of producing animals increased by 141%. Over the period under review, this number reached the maximum level at X heads in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports from Hungary

In 2022, approx. X tons of horse, mule and donkey meat were exported from Hungary; with an increase of 259% against 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, saw a dramatic decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 1,652% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a sharp curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 1,731%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Romania (X tons) was the main destination for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Hungary, with a 73% share of total exports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat exports to Romania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Latvia (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Romania stood at +5.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Latvia (-21.4% per year) and Bulgaria (-38.9% per year).

In value terms, Romania ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Hungary, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Latvia ($X), with a 16% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Romania amounted to +11.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Latvia (-18.5% per year) and Bulgaria (-36.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $X per ton, surging by 31% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bulgaria ($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 Slovakia (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Hungary

In 2022, approx. X tons of horse, mule and donkey meat were imported into Hungary; growing by 221% against 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a drastic downturn. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum 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 skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to Hungary, with a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Italy (X tons), with a 19% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands amounted to +39.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+25.3% per year) and Italy (-24.5% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to Hungary, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 19% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands stood at +40.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+26.2% per year) and Italy (-24.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $X per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 23%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were Belgium ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+1.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :