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Pakistan's Donkeys, China's Market: The Multi-Million Dollar Trade Explained
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News18•23-09-2026, 17:04
Pakistan's Donkeys, China's Market: The Multi-Million Dollar Trade Explained
- •Pakistan has approximately 6.2 million donkeys, integral to its rural economy.
- •China's demand for donkey hides for traditional medicine 'Ejiao' drives a lucrative international trade.
- •Donkey hides have become a valuable commodity, transforming donkeys from beasts of burden into commercial assets.
- •This trade offers new income opportunities for Pakistan but raises concerns about its impact on local livelihoods and livestock balance.
- •Past experiences in Africa show excessive donkey slaughter can negatively affect local communities.
Key Questions Answered
The primary driver is the demand for donkey hides to produce 'Ejiao', a traditional gelatin compound used in Chinese medicine, cosmetics, and as a blood tonic, alongside a rising appetite for donkey meat in parts of China.
Government statistics and economic surveys indicate that Pakistan has approximately 6.2 million donkeys, with the population experiencing a steady increase over recent years.
With increasing export demand driving up prices, local livestock farmers and laborers who depend heavily on donkeys for carrying goods and rural agrarian tasks face mounting operational difficulties.
