The Ministry of National Food Security & Research in Pakistan has confirmed that two Chinese firms have submitted applications to export donkey meat from Pakistan.
This marks the beginning of formal efforts to establish a legal supply chain between Pakistan and China for donkey meat and related products.
According to officials from the ministry, the firms have applied for permits to operate slaughterhouses and obtain export clearance. These applications are currently undergoing a detailed review.
If approved, the firms will be authorized to process and export donkey meat, along with byproducts, exclusively through the port of Gwadar. This port has been designated as the sole location for donkey meat exports, ensuring proper regulatory oversight. Any meat processing outside of Gwadar will be strictly prohibited to avoid domestic distribution.
This development follows a recent inspection by the Islamabad Food Authority (IFA) at an illegal donkey meat facility in Tarnol. During the raid, officials confiscated approximately 1,000 kilograms of donkey meat and more than 50 live donkeys.
A foreign national was found on the premises and taken into custody. An FIR has been filed, and the seized meat is being destroyed as investigations into potential illegal export activities continue.
The ministry has raised concerns about unlicensed operations and stressed that only officially authorized firms will be allowed to process donkey meat for export. Any attempts to bypass these regulations will face severe legal consequences.
Donkey meat is in high demand in China, where it is consumed as part of traditional cuisine. Additionally, donkey hides are used to produce e-jiao, a traditional medicinal gelatin.
A slaughterhouse in Gwadar began operations earlier this year to meet China’s growing demand. The Donkey Sanctuary, a UK-based animal welfare organization, reports that the e-jiao industry requires about 5.9 million donkey skins annually. Shandong province in China is responsible for nearly 90 percent of the global supply of e-jiao.
Pakistan’s donkey population reached 6.047 million in 2024, an increase of over 109,000 from the previous year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
This growth in the donkey population may further fuel the demand for donkey meat and hides in international markets, especially in China.
In other news read more about Halal or Haram? How to Know if You’re Eating Donkey Meat in Pakistan
