Report Update May 1, 2025

Japan - Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Japan: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Japan

The Japanese market for horse, mule and donkey meat reached $X in 2022, with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Japan

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 15%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in Japan contracted to X kg per head in 2022, approximately reflecting the year before. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Japan declined modestly to X heads, waning by -4.7% compared with the previous year. In general, the number of producing animals showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 11%. As a result, the amount of animals produced reached the peak level of X heads. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of this number failed to regain momentum.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Japan

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat, when their volume increased by 27% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Argentina (X tons), Canada (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the main suppliers of horse, mule and donkey meat imports to Japan, together comprising 61% of total imports. Uruguay, Poland, Mexico and China 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 Uruguay (with a CAGR of +88.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($X), Argentina ($X) and Uruguay ($X) appeared to be the largest horse, mule and donkey meat suppliers to Japan, with a combined 62% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +108.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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, growing by 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, 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 13% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for horse, mule and donkey meat in the world?

The countries with the highest volumes of horse, mule and donkey meat consumption in 2020 were China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, together comprising 53% of global consumption. Russia, Mexico, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, the United States, Brazil and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

What are the largest producers of horse, mule and donkey meat in the world?

The countries with the highest volumes of horse, mule and donkey meat production in 2020 were China, Kazakhstan and Mexico, together comprising 52% of global production. Mongolia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Argentina and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

What are the leading suppliers of horse, mule and donkey meat to Japan?

In value terms, Canada constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to Japan, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Poland, with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 13% share.

What is the average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat in Japan?

In 2015, the average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $4,500 per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year.

What is the average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat in Japan?

In 2020, the average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $7,569 per ton, shrinking by -7.5% against the previous year.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the market for horse, mule and donkey meat in Japan. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

FCL 1097 - Horse meat
FCL 1108 - Meat of asses
FCL 1111 - Meat of mules

Country coverage:

Japan

Data coverage:

Market volume and value
Per Capita consumption
Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
Trade (exports and imports) in Japan
Export and import prices
Market trends, drivers and restraints
Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

Take advantage of the latest data
Find deeper insights into current market developments
Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
How to load your idle production capacity
How to boost your sales on overseas markets
How to increase your profit margins
How to make your supply chain more sustainable
How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
How to outsource production to other countries
How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

1. INTRODUCTION

Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Quick Overview of Market Performance
1. KEY FINDINGS
2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW

Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
1. MARKET SIZE
2. MARKET STRUCTURE
3. TRADE BALANCE
4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
3. COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
4. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
5. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION

The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
1. PRODUCTION, PRODUCING ANIMALS AND YIELD
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
LIST OF TABLES
1. Key Findings In 2024
2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
3. Market Value, 2012–2024
4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
2. Market Value, 2012–2024
3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
14. Production Volume And Growth
15. Yield And Growth
16. Exports And Growth
17. Export Prices And Growth
18. Market Size And Growth
19. Per Capita Consumption
20. Imports And Growth
21. Import Prices
22. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
23. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
24. Producing Animals Slaughtered, 2012–2024
25. Yield, 2012–2024
26. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
27. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
28. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
29. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
30. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
31. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
32. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
33. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
34. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
35. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
36. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
37. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024