Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, the Latin American market for horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -1.3% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 20%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of horse, mule and donkey meat production was Mexico (X tons), accounting for 44% of total volume. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat production in Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Brazil (X tons), threefold. Argentina (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Mexico totaled -1.5%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Brazil (+0.2% per year) and Argentina (+0.4% per year).

The average horse, mule and donkey meat yield reduced modestly to X kg per head in 2022, leveling off at 2021. Overall, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the yield increased by 2.4%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In 2022, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Latin America and the Caribbean; reducing by -1.9% against the previous year. In general, the number of producing animals recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level at X heads in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, exports of horse, mule and donkey meat in Latin America and the Caribbean contracted to X tons, with a decrease of -5.1% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports saw a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum 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 shrank modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Argentina (X tons) and Uruguay (X tons) represented roughly 80% of total exports in 2022. Brazil (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, distantly followed by Peru (X tons). All these countries together held near 17% share of total exports. Colombia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +39.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest horse, mule and donkey meat supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Argentina ($X), Uruguay ($X) and Brazil ($X), with a combined 93% share of total exports. Peru and Colombia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 6.8%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Colombia, with a CAGR of +45.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 5.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+4.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, approx. X tons of horse, mule and donkey meat were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; which is down by -37.1% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports faced a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 2,825%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports declined sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, imports faced a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 1,297% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Venezuela represented the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 64% of total imports. Puerto Rico (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Jamaica (8.2%), Aruba (7.3%) and Nicaragua (6%). Bahamas (X kg) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to horse, mule and donkey meat imports into Venezuela stood at -50.0%. At the same time, Aruba (+36.0%), Puerto Rico (+17.3%) and Bahamas (+9.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Aruba emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +36.0% from 2012-2022. Nicaragua experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Jamaica (-22.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Nicaragua and Bahamas increased by +64, +11, +7.2, +4.4 and +3.2 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Venezuela ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported horse, mule and donkey meat in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Jamaica ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Puerto Rico, with an 11% share.

In Venezuela, horse, mule and donkey meat imports plunged by an average annual rate of -50.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Jamaica (-16.0% per year) and Puerto Rico (-8.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 9.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a mild decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 89% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Jamaica ($X per ton), while Aruba ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jamaica (+8.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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