Donkey price increased in Pakistan drastically in recent months, with rates now touching as high as PKR 200,000 in major cities like Karachi. This unexpected surge in donkey prices is primarily linked to an overwhelming demand from China, where donkey hides are being used in the multi-billion-dollar ejiao industry—an ancient Chinese medicine made from donkey-hide gelatin.
The current donkey price in Karachi ranges between PKR 40,000 to PKR 200,000, depending on size, strength, and usage. Some specialty donkeys, especially race breeds from the Makran region, are even fetching over PKR 300,000. This marks a sharp rise compared to just a few years ago when an average working donkey sold for under PKR 50,000.
China’s declining domestic donkey population has pushed its pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to look elsewhere, with Pakistan emerging as a key supplier. Ejiao, used in Chinese medicine for treating fatigue and improving blood circulation, is driving most of this demand. This surge has resulted in a massive export market for donkey hides, raising ethical and economic concerns within Pakistan.
The impact of the donkey price increase in Pakistan is deeply felt by local workers. Around 5.9 million donkeys support nearly 36 million Pakistanis, especially in transport, brick kilns, and farming. Many low-income individuals now struggle to afford replacements for their ageing animals, risking their only source of livelihood.
Government officials are reportedly in talks with Chinese companies to regulate the trade by establishing donkey farms and slaughterhouses in regions like Gwadar. However, activists and provincial authorities have raised concerns over animal rights, religious sensitivities, and lack of clear welfare regulations under the 1890 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
