Two Chinese companies have officially applied for licenses to establish slaughterhouses in Pakistan for the export of donkey meat to China, officials from the Ministry of National Food Security confirmed.
A thorough review of the applications is currently underway. The ministry stated that the export of donkey meat and bones will be permitted once all regulatory requirements are finalized.
China imports donkey meat and hides for both culinary uses and the production of e-jiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey skin collagen. E-jiao is believed to improve blood circulation, enhance immunity, and promote skin health.
Ministry officials further informed that the exports will be routed through Balochistan’s Gwadar Port, which is expected to generate valuable foreign exchange for Pakistan.
To allay public concerns, the ministry clarified that donkey meat will be processed exclusively for export purposes and will not be supplied to domestic markets.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the country’s donkey population reached 6.047 million by June 2025, marking an increase of over 109,000 in the past year. However, rising export demand has led to a significant surge in donkey prices within local markets.
