China imports millions of donkey hides from Africa every year: New book traces the drivers and impact
The demand for donkey hides has grown exponentially over the past 15 years, driven mainly by demand from China. Lauren Johnston is a specialist on China trade with Africa. She has spent several years looking into the donkey trade, and has just published a book, "China, Africa and the Market for Donkeys." She answers questions about what she found.
A new book shed light on the massive importation of donkey hides from Africa to China each year, driven by the demand for a traditional Chinese medicine called ejiao. Lauren Johnston, an expert on China-Africa trade, has spent years researching the donkey trade and recently published her findings. Ejiao is a donkey hide gelatin-based tonic used for centuries in China to treat various health issues, with its medicinal reputation attributed to its collagen-rich composition and bioactive peptides.
However, the pharmacological research to establish clinically established therapeutic effects remains contested. The ejiao market has expanded beyond medicinal uses, with products ranging from cakes and drinks to cosmetics and wellness products. While ejiao is accessible in pharmacies, it also sells at premium prices in some countries.
The demand for donkey hides has grown significantly over the past 15 years, with one hide fetching over $400 in China. Donkeys have been vital working animals in Africa, but the trade is largely informal, leading to donkeys being sold despite their essential work. The trade has put pressure on donkey populations, with current demand requiring 4-5 million hides annually, far exceeding the number of donkeys available in China.
Donkey smuggling across borders, such as from Kenya to Tanzania, has contributed to the problem, and the slow breeding rate of donkeys further exacerbates the issue. In response, the African Union has agreed to a 15-year moratorium on the slaughter of donkeys for their hides, but implementation remains imperfect. The Donkey Sanctuary estimates that China imports more than 3 million donkey hides annually, with 25%-35% coming from stolen animals.
The ban on trade may push the illegal trade further underground, affecting both the donkeys and the communities that rely on them for their livelihoods.
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