Donkey price hits Rs300,000 mark due to demand for hides in cosmetic industry

Prices of donkeys in Pakistan have surged to Rs300,000 due to rising demand in China, where donkey hides are used to manufacture medicines and cosmetic products.

The exorbitant prices of donkeys are making them inaccessible to local buyers, who are rarely seen in the market.

Sellers reported that the demand for donkeys in China has skyrocketed, which is the primary reason for the increase in their prices.

According to a report, millions of donkeys are slaughtered annually to obtain their hides, which are used to manufacture Ejiao, a highly expensive Chinese medicine.

This medicine is a key ingredient in beauty products and is believed to be beneficial for blood circulation and the body's immune system.

The soaring demand for donkeys has turned them into a profitable commodity for sellers, who are capitalising on the increasing value of their hides.

Donkey prices are not expected to decline as the demand for them is anticipated to continue rising in the future.

In June 2023, the Ministry of Law and Justice approved the finalisation of a trade agreement involving four protocols that authorised the export of donkey hides, along with other goods, to China.

Beijing previously imported donkey hides from Africa. However, as the demand for these hides increased domestically, Chinese authorities turned to Pakistan and Afghanistan to meet growing needs of the local market.