Donkeys threatened with extinction by Brazil China trade

According to an article by the BBC, hundreds of donkeys which were due to be slaughtered and exported to China have starved to death in Bahia over recent months. The most recent case was at a farm in Canudos, leased by a Chinese company, where around 200 donkeys were found dead, and 800 were severely malnourished. At the end of last year, there was a similar case in Itapetinga. The situation, which has involved the police, has generated concern that the species may be at risk of extinction in Brazil in coming years.

Since 2016, the slaughter of donkeys has been growing. The skin is sent to China and used in Chinese medicine. A Brazil-China trade agreement has boosted exports. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2016 Brazil exported 24,918 tons of horses, donkeys, and mules, mainly to Asian countries such as China and Vietnam. Last year, 226,432 tons were exported, up 808% in just two years.

DataLiner shows Brazil’s live horse, ass, mule, and hinny export volume vs. FOB earned trends for the last ten years: 

Sharing is caring!