U.S.: Market for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat 2025

Market Size for Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in the U.S.

The U.S. market for horse, mule and donkey meat rose modestly to $X in 2022, picking up by 3.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat in the U.S.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production totaled $X in 2022. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 18%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat in the United States stood at X kg per head, approximately mirroring the year before. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 0.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average horse, mule and donkey meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production in the United States; leveling off at 2021. In general, the number of producing animals showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the number of producing animals increased by 16%. As a result, the number of animals produced reached the peak level of X heads. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of this number remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, shipments abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -33% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 7,385%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports reached $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 5,048% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Mexico (X tons) was the main destination for horse, mule and donkey meat exports from the United States, accounting for a 95% share of total exports. It was followed by Venezuela (X tons), with a 2.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Mexico totaled +16.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Venezuela (-87.2% per year) and Bahamas (-91.8% per year).

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Venezuela ($X) and Bahamas ($X) were the largest markets for horse, mule and donkey meat exported from the United States worldwide, together accounting for 88% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Venezuela, with a CAGR of +281.5%, 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 average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 65% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed noticeable growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 116%. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Venezuela ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mexico ($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 Venezuela (+2,887.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Imports into the U.S.

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in supplies from abroad of horse, mule and donkey meat, when their volume increased by 43% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Canada (X tons) was the main supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to the United States, with a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Canada was relatively modest.

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of horse, mule and donkey meat to the United States.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Canada totaled +2.8%.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 28% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% 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 import price increased by +90.7% against 2014 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Canada.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Canada amounted to +2.7% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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