Pakistan’s first ever donkey slaughterhouse has commenced production in Gwadar to meet the growing demand for donkey meat, bones, and hides in China, primarily for the manufacturing of the traditional product e-jiao, it emerged on Friday.
A Chinese company has begun operations in Gwadar, marking a significant milestone in this unconventional export sector.
During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Food Security, officials revealed that China has signed an agreement with Pakistan for the procurement of donkey carcass parts.
Committee Chairman Rana Muhammad Hayat questioned why Pakistan was not exporting live donkeys instead, officials explained that the logistics of transporting live animals posed challenges, making the export of processed by-products a more viable option.
Pakistan’s donkey population is estimated at 5.9 million, with China being a major market where donkey meat is consumed as food and hides are used to produce e-jiao, a traditional medicinal gelatin.
What is e-jiao?
E-jiao is a gelatin derived from collagen extracted from donkey hides and is widely used in food and beauty products. It is also used as an ingredient in the traditional medicine of China. Many Chinese consumers believe it enhances blood circulation, boosts the immune system, and prevents diseases.
The ejiao industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade.
Between 2013 and 2016, the annual production of ejiao increased from 3,200 to 5,600 tones, a yearly growth of over 20%.
Industry reports show that the production of ejiao increased by 160 per cent between 2016 and 2021.
The increasing demand is also driven by China’s growing middle class and aging population. Its price has leapt 30-fold in the past decade from 100 yuan per 500 grams to 2,986 yuan ($420.
