Pakistan has taken a unique step in its export industry by launching its first-ever donkey slaughterhouse in Gwadar. This move aims to meet China’s growing demand for donkey meat, bones, and hides, primarily used in the production of e-jiao, a traditional Chinese medicine and luxury product.
A New Chapter in Trade
During a recent meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security, officials ratified that China has signed an agreement with Pakistan for the procurement of donkey hides and bones. A Chinese company has already begun operations in Gwadar, marking a significant step in this unconventional trade.
Committee Chairman Rana Muhammad Hayat inquired why Pakistan wasn’t exporting live donkeys instead. Officials explained that transporting live animals posed logistical challenges, making the export of donkey by-products a more viable option.
The committee also learned that several requests for setting up more donkey slaughterhouses in different parts of Pakistan have already been received, with negotiations ongoing with other Chinese investors interested in this trade.
Declining Domestic Use but Rising Global Demand
Donkeys, once essential for small-load transport in Pakistan, have gradually lost their relevance due to modern transportation. However, their economic potential remains significant, especially with China’s demand for e-jiao surging. Hayat emphasized the importance of selective breeding to ensure a steady donkey population for future trade.
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Pakistan currently has around 5.9 million donkeys, making it one of the largest populations in the world. Meanwhile, China, once home to 11 million donkeys in 1992, has seen an 80% decline, reducing its numbers to just under 2 million. This shortage has driven China to look beyond its borders, seeking donkeys from countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
What is E-Jiao and Why is it Popular?
E-jiao is a prized product in traditional Chinese medicine. It is made by elimination collagen protein from donkey hides. This collagen extracted from donkey’s hides is basically for enhance blood circulation, boosting the immune system, and preventing diseases.
Originally popular among Chinese elites during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), e-jiao has seen a resurgence in demand in recent years, partly fueled by its portrayal in Chinese television dramas like Empress in the Palace. As China’s middle class and elderly population grow, so does the demand for this once-exclusive remedy.
The price of e-jiao has skyrocketed—rising from 100 yuan per 500 grams a decade ago to nearly 3,000 yuan ($420) today. The industry requires an estimated 5.9 million donkey skins annually, putting immense pressure on global donkey populations.
A Fragile Supply Chain
Unlike pigs and cows, donkeys reproduce very slowly. A female donkey, or jenny, carries a pregnancy for 11 to 14.5 months and usually gives birth to only one foal. Experts estimate that setting up a sustainable donkey farming system to meet e-jiao demands could take over two decades.
Because of these factors, trade is incessantly going on illegally. In 2022, authorities in Karachi intercepted a shipment of nearly 10 metric tons of donkey skins targeted to be send at Hong Kong. The consignment was falsely declared as carrying salt and handkerchiefs.
The Road Ahead
The successful entry of Pakistan into this industry is a turning point in its export landscape. it is expected that the new economic opportunities will come up but along with that it also poses various negative consequences like raising concerns regarding animal welfare, potential for illegal trade, and animal welfare.