Netherlands: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in the Netherlands

In 2022, the Dutch market for horse, mule and donkey meat increased by 30% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in the Netherlands

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production rose markedly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -5.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in the Netherlands skyrocketed to X tons per head in 2022, picking up by 160% on 2021. Overall, the yield enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 379%. The horse, mule and donkey meat yield peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

The number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in the Netherlands reached X heads in 2022, approximately reflecting 2021 figures. Overall, the number of producing animals showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the number of producing animals increased by 6.3%. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2022, overseas shipments of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -33.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 467%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports declined sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 164%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of horse, mule and donkey meat exports from the Netherlands, together accounting for 96% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +50.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Belgium ($X) remains the key foreign market for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from the Netherlands, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Belgium amounted to +4.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+46.6% per year) and Italy (-16.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -30.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 31% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($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 Finland (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2022, the amount of horse, mule and donkey meat imported into the Netherlands dropped notably to X tons, which is down by -63.3% against the previous year's figure. In general, imports continue to indicate a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 85%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports fell significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 81% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to the Netherlands, accounting for a 69% share of total imports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat imports from Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), threefold. Uruguay (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Argentina stood at +16.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-16.2% per year) and Uruguay (-15.7% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to the Netherlands, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 27% share of total imports. It was followed by Uruguay, with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Argentina amounted to +13.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-13.1% per year) and Uruguay (-16.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -17.3% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 41%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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