Italy: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Italy

In 2022, the Italian market for horse, mule and donkey meat increased by 22% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. Horse, mule and donkey meat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Italy

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in Italy totaled X kg per head in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year's figure. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield reached the peak level at X kg per head in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure.

The number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Italy reduced modestly to X heads in 2022, waning by -3.1% against the year before. Overall, the number of producing animals faced a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production 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 from Italy

In 2022, shipments abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat increased by 40% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports showed notable growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports reached $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 50%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Italy, accounting for a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Japan (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands amounted to +17.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+39.7% per year) and Japan (+11.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for horse, mule and donkey meat exported from Italy were the Netherlands ($X), Switzerland ($X) and Japan ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports. France, Romania, Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Romania, with a CAGR of +54.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -21.4% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 21% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hungary ($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 Denmark (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Italy

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat, when their volume increased by 22% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 26%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports surged to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main suppliers of horse, mule and donkey meat imports to Italy, together accounting for 64% of total imports. Romania, France, Argentina and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +13.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), Poland ($X) and Spain ($X) appeared to be the largest horse, mule and donkey meat suppliers to Italy, together comprising 66% of total imports. Romania, France, Argentina and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Among the main suppliers, Romania, with a CAGR of +21.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, increasing by 8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from France ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Romania ($X per ton) and Argentina ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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