Poland: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Poland

In 2022, the Polish market for horse, mule and donkey meat increased by 24% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption showed a buoyant increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Poland

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in Poland totaled X kg per head, flattening at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 19%. The horse, mule and donkey meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Poland shrank slightly to X heads, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the number of producing animals showed a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the number of producing animals increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs 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 Poland

Horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Poland reduced to X tons in 2022, which is down by -14.5% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 14% 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 declined to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Poland, accounting for a 97% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan (X tons), with a 3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Italy totaled -6.0%.

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the key foreign market for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Poland, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Japan ($X), with a 5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Italy totaled -1.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 4.3% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, horse, mule and donkey meat export price increased by +19.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 21% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+4.5%).

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Poland

After three years of growth, supplies from abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -83.4% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 923%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs 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 shrank dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 424%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to Poland, with a 66% share of total imports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Romania (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Spain stood at +25.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (-28.9% per year) and Italy (-19.2% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to Poland, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Romania ($X), with a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Spain stood at +52.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Romania (-26.2% per year) and Italy (-13.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 171%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat 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 Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+21.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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