Donkey Industry in China: Current Aspects, Suggestions and Future Challenges.
Authors: Seyiti Shamila, Kelimu Abulimiti
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary China's donkey industry represents a rapidly expanding but economically underdeveloped sector within rural agricultural communities, where traditional draught and pack animal roles are gradually shifting towards commercial meat, milk, and hide production. Through a comprehensive review of current industry data, Shamila and Abulimiti catalogued existing animal stocks, breed types, geographic distribution patterns, and product outputs across Chinese donkey-farming regions, identifying substantial untapped economic potential within existing herds. The research reveals that whilst China maintains one of the world's largest donkey populations, the industry remains fragmented and poorly optimised, with production systems still heavily integrated into subsistence farming models rather than operating as standalone commercial enterprises. Key findings emphasise the necessity for structural reorientation—including improved breeding programmes, enhanced product processing infrastructure, and market development strategies—to transition donkey farming from supplementary household activity to viable agribusiness. For equine professionals working in developing economies or advising on alternative livestock enterprises, this analysis underscores how donkeys can generate meaningful rural income when supported by appropriate veterinary inputs, nutritional management, and production standardisation, though requires deliberate strategic investment to realise that potential.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Donkey production in China represents a significant and growing sector that veterinary professionals should monitor as a source of equine-related work and expertise development
- •Rural practitioners in developing regions may find donkey farming offers economic diversification opportunities similar to those emerging in China's rural economy
- •Understanding donkey industry development in major breeding nations provides insights into alternative equine enterprise models beyond traditional horse-focused practices
Key Findings
- •China is one of the largest donkey breeders worldwide with a growing donkey farming industry for meat, milk, and hide production
- •The donkey industry in China is currently small and relatively young but expanding rapidly in rural areas
- •Donkey farming provides significant income to rural livelihoods and represents an underexploited economic opportunity
- •The industry requires reorientation from traditional activities towards more profitable production models