ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rapidly become one of the primary suppliers of donkey hides to China after the African Union imposed a ban on the trade of donkey skins last year. The shift in supply chains has significantly impacted donkey owners across Pakistan, particularly in cities like Karachi, where daily wage workers rely on these animals for their livelihood.
For individuals like Gulzar, a 50-year-old cart operator in Karachi, his donkey is the backbone of survival. Pulling heavy loads of structural iron across long distances earns him just enough to feed a family of 14. However, rising donkey mortality rates and skyrocketing prices — sometimes reaching Rs 300,000 — are making the burden unbearable. “We are barely managing to survive. Even if you buy one, there’s no guarantee it’ll survive long enough to return the investment,” Gulzar lamented.
Pakistan’s Rising Role in Global Donkey Skin Trade
With the African Union stepping out of the donkey hide market due to ethical and social concerns, China turned to Pakistan as a promising partner. The demand is largely fueled by the traditional Chinese medicine industry’s obsession with ejiao — a gelatin derived from donkey skins and believed to treat fatigue, blood deficiency, and hormonal imbalances, particularly in women.
In April 2025, a Chinese delegation visited Pakistan and discussed the potential of establishing donkey farms with the Federal Minister for National Food Security. The Pakistani government welcomed the investment interest but emphasized the importance of safeguarding the local donkey population.
Statistics from the General Administration of Customs in China show that Pakistan exported over 157,000 donkey hides in 2023 alone. This placed it among the top non-African suppliers, right after several African nations, despite concerns raised by animal welfare groups regarding the health, public safety, and environmental impact of this trade.
Welfare Concerns and Global Pressure Mount
Veterinary and animal rights organizations warn that the trade not only endangers donkeys but also risks spreading zoonotic diseases like anthrax and equine flu. These risks were highlighted during a 2019 outbreak in West Africa that killed over 60,000 donkeys.
The collapse of China’s own donkey population — dropping from 5.6 million in 1990 to just 0.86 million in 2022 — has intensified reliance on international sources. While Pakistan’s geographical and diplomatic alignment with China makes it a convenient partner, the ethical implications of this trade are drawing increasing scrutiny both locally and internationally.
As the demand for ejiao shows no signs of slowing, Pakistan now faces the challenge of balancing economic opportunity with animal welfare and the needs of its working class.
Keywords: donkey trade, ejiao industry, Pakistan-China relations
