Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat Market

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global horse, mule, and donkey meat market, with detailed insights into consumption trends, production figures, import and export statistics. The market is expected to show slight growth with an anticipated increase in volume and value over the next eight years. Key highlights include consumption patterns, production levels, import and export data, as well as country-specific statistics on consumption per capita, production volumes, and trade values. The article also outlines historical trends and forecasts for the market until 2030, showcasing the potential growth opportunities and challenges within the industry.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for horse, mule and donkey meat worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $8.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

In 2022, consumption of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -0.1% to 915K tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, consumption showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 3.9%. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 1M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The size of the market for horse, mule and donkey meat worldwide declined to $6.3B in 2022, waning by -5.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption showed a perceptible contraction. Global consumption peaked at $8.9B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (257K tons), Kazakhstan (160K tons) and Mongolia (78K tons), together accounting for 54% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mongolia (with a CAGR of +10.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($3.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kazakhstan ($542M). It was followed by Mexico.

In China, the horse, mule and donkey meat market shrank by an average annual rate of -3.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kazakhstan (+6.1% per year) and Mexico (+2.3% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of horse, mule and donkey meat per capita consumption was registered in Mongolia (23 kg per person), followed by Kazakhstan (8.4 kg per person), Kyrgyzstan (4.5 kg per person) and Australia (0.9 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of horse, mule and donkey meat was estimated at 0.1 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the horse, mule and donkey meat per capita consumption in Mongolia totaled +8.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Kazakhstan (+4.4% per year) and Kyrgyzstan (+1.6% per year).

Production

World Production of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

Global horse, mule and donkey meat production reached 924K tons in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 3.5%. Global production peaked at 1M tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum. The general negative trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a mild shrinkage of the number of producing animals and a notable expansion in yield figures.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat production reduced to $6.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 150% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $10.2B in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (253K tons), Kazakhstan (157K tons) and Mongolia (83K tons), together accounting for 53% of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Mongolia (with a CAGR of +10.3%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

In 2022, the global average yield of horse, mule and donkey meat expanded slightly to 156 kg per head, rising by 2.8% against 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 14%. The global yield peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Producing Animals

In 2022, global number of animals slaughtered for horse, mule and donkey meat production reduced to 5.9M heads, waning by -1.6% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals saw a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the number of producing animals increased by 3.3%. The global producing animals peaked at 7.9M heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

In 2022, overseas purchases of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -15.8% to 74K tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 138K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat imports contracted slightly to $370M in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $556M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Italy (19K tons) and Belgium (14K tons) were the major importers of horse, mule and donkey meatin the world, together constituting 43% of total imports. The Netherlands (7.9K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 11% share, followed by France (9.5%), Japan (7.5%), Russia (6.7%), China (5.4%) and Kazakhstan (4.9%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +34.7%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Italy ($105M), Belgium ($61M) and Japan ($45M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 57% share of global imports. France, the Netherlands, Russia, Kazakhstan and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

China, with a CAGR of +43.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $4,975 per ton, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 13% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 Japan ($7,972 per ton), while China ($2,028 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Horse, Mule and Donkey Meat

In 2022, overseas shipments of horse, mule and donkey meat decreased by -3.5% to 83K tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports saw a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 140K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, horse, mule and donkey meat exports reduced slightly to $373M in 2022. In general, exports recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $558M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Argentina (11K tons), the Netherlands (11K tons), Belgium (9.3K tons), Romania (9.2K tons), Uruguay (7.6K tons), Poland (6.3K tons), Spain (5.5K tons) and Mongolia (5.2K tons), together amounting to 79% of total export. The following exporters - Italy (3.4K tons), Brazil (2.9K tons), Kenya (2.4K tons), France (2.4K tons) and Canada (2.3K tons) - together made up 16% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Kenya (with a CAGR of +14.0%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest horse, mule and donkey meat supplying countries worldwide were Belgium ($55M), the Netherlands ($53M) and Poland ($38M), with a combined 39% share of global exports. Romania, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, France, Canada, Italy, Mongolia, Brazil and Kenya lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 56%.

Among the main exporting countries, Kenya, with a CAGR of +12.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average export price for horse, mule and donkey meat amounted to $4,489 per ton, with an increase of 1.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 15% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($8,104 per ton), while Kenya ($1,088 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform