China and Africa's Donkey Dilemma

 The Hinrich Foundation published on 20 January 2026 an article titled "Africa's Donkey Trade Moratorium Shapes China's Approach on Global South" by Lauren Johnston.

In 2024, the African Union halted exports to China of African donkey skins, which provide collagen used to manufacture a Chinese traditional medicine known as ejiao.  Chinese demand for African donkey hides reached 4 to 6 million a year, decimating the donkey population on the continent.  

China has responded by increasing internal donkey production, developing other sources outside Africa, and improving the supply chain for producing the traditional Chinese medicine.  

Donkey Skins Are Controversial Issue in China-Africa Trade

 The New York Times published on 23 February 2024 an article titled "Africa's Donkeys Are Coveted by China.  Can the Continent Protect Them?" by Elian Peltier, Keith Bradsher, and Siyi Zhao.

Chinese companies have been slaughtering millions of donkeys across Africa, coveting gelatin from the animals' hides that is processed into traditional medicines, sweets, and beauty products.  The demand is decimating Africa's donkey population, causing the African Union to adopt a continentwide ban on donkey skin exports.  Donkeys are an important source of transport in many African countries.  

China-Africa Donkey Trade

 The South African Institute of International Affairs published in January 2023 a study titled "China, Africa and the Market for Donkeys: Keeping the Cart Behind the Donkey" by Lauren Johnston.  

China's demand for donkey hides, which are used to make an ancient health-related product, has led to a shortage of donkeys in China and sky-rocketing demand for Africa's donkeys.  This has resulted in the emergence of illicit and even more inhumane and unhygienic cross-border and regional donkey trade.  The paper offers policy suggestions that may help to create a donkey market that supports inclusive high quality, mutual objectives.