The price of donkeys in Pakistan has skyrocketed to as much as 300,000 PKR due to a surge in demand from China. This demand is fueled by the use of donkey hides in the production of cosmetics and traditional medicines, leaving local buyers struggling to keep up with the inflated prices.
According to the reports, this sharp rise in prices has left the local markets, particularly Karachi’s Lehari donkey market, seeing fewer buyers. Donkey sellers in the market have pointed out that the growing Chinese demand for hides is the driving force behind these escalating prices.
The demand is largely due to the use of donkey hides in the production of an ancient Chinese medicine called “e jia,” which is known for its supposed health benefits. Additionally, these hides are also utilized in various cosmetic products, further adding to their value on the global market.
For many local customers, owning a donkey has now become an unaffordable luxury, reflecting the larger global trend of rising prices for natural resources used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. With no indication that this demand will slow down anytime soon, it’s expected that prices will continue to remain high, creating further strain on local markets.
In 2022, a Senate Standing Committee on Commerce revealed that China had expressed interest in importing both donkeys and dogs from Pakistan, showing that this economic relationship is likely to continue growing.