--- title: "Importation of Donkey Hides to China Reaches Staggering Levels" url: https://newscentral.site/importation-of-donkey-hides-to-china-reaches-staggering-levels/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-11-03T04:00:02.000Z updated: 2026-11-03T09:58:16.247Z id: 1facad25-a2b4-439e-af56-502cdf49110e source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-11-china-imports-millions-donkey-africa.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/importation-of-donkey-hides-to-china-reaches-staggering-levels/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Importation of Donkey Hides to China Reaches Staggering Levels Millions of donkey hides are being imported into China each year due to a growing demand for ejiao, a traditional medicine made from gelatin-based tonics derived from these hides. The importation of donkey hides from Africa to China has reached staggering levels, with millions of hides being brought into the country each year. China's voracious demand for these hides is a relatively recent phenomenon, having grown exponentially over the past 15 years. According to Lauren Johnston, an expert on Sino-African trade, the primary driver behind this trend is China itself. The Chinese market has created a massive appetite for donkey hides due to the widespread consumption of ejiao, a traditional medicine made from gelatin-based tonics derived from these hides. For centuries, this elixir was reserved for an elite group of imperial patrons but its production has since become industrialized on a large scale. Ejiao is prized by tens of millions of Chinese women for its supposed health benefits, including treating fatigue, dizziness, and irregular bleeding. It is also said to support overall female wellness. The medicinal properties of ejiao have been extensively studied, yet its clinical benefits remain a topic of debate among researchers. While some studies suggest potential therapeutic effects, others argue that these findings are not conclusively proven. The question of whether similar benefits can be derived from alternative sources of collagen or related compounds is also being explored. In recent years, the market for ejiao has undergone significant changes. What was once primarily a medicinal product has been transformed into a range of consumer goods, including baked goods, beverages, cosmetics, and wellness products. This commercialization of ejiao has made it more accessible to consumers at various price points. Ejiao is sold at both affordable prices in pharmacies and at significantly higher costs on the premium market. The industry's lead producer, Dong'e Ejiao, has played a key role in driving up prices, with some increases rivaling those seen in property values in major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing over the past decade. The demand for ejiao extends beyond China's borders, with significant markets emerging in Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. This global appetite has put pressure on donkey hide supplies, particularly in Africa where the continent's largest population of these animals resides. As a result, Africa has become a major target for the ejiao industry, with countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania being among the first to be tapped due to their large donkey populations and proximity to China. However, the demand for donkey hides has grown so great that almost every donkey in Africa is now at risk of being caught up in the trade. The donkey hide trade has created a lucrative market in China, where one animal skin can fetch over $400. As a result, many working donkeys are being sold for their hides, despite their vital role as pack animals in Africa. The slow breeding rate of donkeys is also exacerbating the problem by reducing the supply available for slaughter. The informal nature of the market and porous borders have made it difficult to regulate the trade. In Tanzania, efforts to secure a continent-wide agreement to halt the trade were met with frustration due to smuggling across the Kenyan border. Representatives from governments and organizations across Africa came together at the first Pan-African Donkey Conference in 2022. The conference included experts from the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), donkey welfare charities, think tanks, and academia. The conference resulted in the Dar es Salaam Declaration, which called for a 15-year moratorium on the slaughter of donkeys for their hides. The implementation of the Dar es Salaam Declaration's 15-year moratorium on donkey slaughter has been a complex and challenging process. Changing laws in each member country to align with the declaration's goals is a significant undertaking that requires time and effort. However, even with progress being made, it's clear that more needs to be done to protect donkeys and the communities that rely on them. The trade of donkey hides can have unintended consequences, such as driving it underground and across borders where regulations may be weaker. The demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey hides, is a major driver of the donkey hide trade. China's donkey population cannot meet this demand, which requires 4-5 million hides annually. As a result, Africa has become a significant source of supply, with many countries on the continent holding large numbers of donkeys. The impact of the donkey hide trade is not limited to the animals themselves but also affects rural households that rely on them for their livelihoods. The Donkey Sanctuary estimates that up to 35% of China's annual imports of donkey hides come from stolen animals, which can have devastating effects on local communities. The trade of donkey hides has far-reaching consequences for local communities in Africa, particularly affecting women and girls who rely on these animals for daily tasks. Donkeys are essential for transporting water, firewood, and farm produce across arid and remote regions, saving households considerable time and labor. The loss or unaffordability of a single donkey can significantly impact household income, food security, and even children's access to education. The trade has also been linked to organized crime, inhumane slaughter, and biosecurity risks, making it a complex issue that requires attention from authorities and stakeholders. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-china-imports-millions-donkey-africa.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/importation-of-donkey-hides-to-china-reaches-staggering-levels/