Slovenia: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in Slovenia

The Slovene market for horse, mule and donkey meat shrank modestly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -1.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a abrupt slump. 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 Slovenia

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 83% against the previous year. Horse, mule and donkey meat production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in Slovenia reduced slightly to X kg per head, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 2.3%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in Slovenia contracted slightly to X heads in 2022, leveling off at 2021. In general, the number of producing animals saw a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports from Slovenia

Horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Slovenia skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, increasing by 39% compared with the previous year. In general, exports, however, showed a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 277% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 305% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Slovenia, with a 86% share of total exports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Croatia (X kg), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Italy stood at -8.9%.

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the key foreign market for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from Slovenia, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Croatia ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Italy amounted to -10.1%.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 27% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Croatia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (-1.3%).

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into Slovenia

Horse, mule and donkey meat imports into Slovenia fell to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -11.4% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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, imports decreased by -24.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 83%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed modest growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 82% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Belgium (X tons) constituted the largest horse, mule and donkey meat supplier to Slovenia, accounting for a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, horse, mule and donkey meat imports from Belgium exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Belgium amounted to +5.9%.

In value terms, Belgium ($X) and Italy ($X) constituted the largest horse, mule and donkey meat suppliers to Slovenia.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +3.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 16% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 31%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+11.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform