Description
Donkey hide gelatin, traditionally known as Ejiao in Chinese, is a substance derived from the collagen of donkey skin. Revered for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used primarily to treat blood deficiencies, promote vitality, and enhance overall wellness. The process of producing donkey hide gelatin involves boiling donkey skins to extract the collagen, which is then refined into a hard, resin-like substance that can be ground into powder or dissolved for use in soups, tonics, and health supplements. Though it is deeply rooted in ancient medical practices, donkey hide gelatin has in recent decades become the focus of global attention, sparking intense discussions that span issues of health, economics, animal welfare, and sustainability.
Historically, Ejiao was a prized remedy in ancient China, used predominantly by the elite for its supposed ability to nourish the blood, improve complexion, stop bleeding, and enhance reproductive health. References to its use date back more than 2,000 years to texts like the “Shennong Bencao Jing,” a foundational pharmacopeia in Chinese medicine. It was often prescribed for women experiencing menstrual irregularities or postpartum fatigue, as well as for the elderly and individuals recovering from long illnesses. The gelatin was consumed in various forms—mixed with rice wine, honey, or other herbal ingredients to amplify its effects. This traditional belief system persists today, especially in China, where Ejiao is regarded not merely as a supplement but as a luxurious wellness product, often sold at premium prices in beautifully packaged boxes that symbolize status and health consciousness.
In modern times, the popularity of donkey hide gelatin has surged beyond traditional medicine circles. With rising incomes and a growing middle class in China and some parts of Southeast Asia, demand for Ejiao products has exploded. It is now marketed as an anti-aging product, a beauty enhancer, and an immune booster. Celebrities and influencers have promoted its use on social media, contributing to the idea that regular consumption can result in glowing skin, thicker hair, and enhanced vitality. This has led to a boom in production and a corresponding surge in the demand for donkeys, sparking global consequences. In response to rising demand, the number of donkeys slaughtered annually for their hides has increased dramatically, prompting widespread concerns from animal rights groups, international organizations, and affected communities.
One of the most pressing issues linked to the production of donkey hide gelatin is the depletion of global donkey populations. Countries in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia have reported significant declines in donkey numbers, as traders export large quantities of skins to meet Chinese demand. In many developing nations, donkeys are essential for transportation, agriculture, and livelihoods, especially in rural communities where mechanized alternatives are unaffordable or unavailable. As donkeys are poached or purchased for slaughter, local populations suffer losses that directly affect food security, education access, and daily life. In some areas, donkeys are stolen under cover of night, leaving owners without means to travel or work. This has led several governments—including those of Kenya, Burkina Faso, Botswana, and Pakistan—to implement bans on the export or slaughter of donkeys for the gelatin trade.
Despite these bans, the illicit trade continues, often through informal or illegal channels. Skins are smuggled across borders, processed in clandestine facilities, or traded through unregulated markets, making enforcement difficult. The economic incentives are high, as a single donkey skin can fetch a substantial price in the international market. This has created a black market that not only endangers animals but also undermines local governance and public health. Slaughterhouses operating without proper oversight have been found to violate sanitary regulations, raising concerns about zoonotic disease transmission. Critics argue that the growing industry has outpaced the ability of many countries to regulate it effectively.
In China, efforts have been made to address supply constraints by encouraging domestic donkey farming. However, donkeys are slow breeders, with gestation periods of up to 12 months and typically only one offspring per pregnancy. This makes it difficult to scale production sustainably or ethically. Industrial-scale breeding facilities have been proposed, but concerns persist over animal welfare and the feasibility of such operations. Moreover, there is an ongoing debate among scholars, scientists, and health officials about the actual medical efficacy of donkey hide gelatin. While traditional practitioners maintain its benefits based on centuries of anecdotal evidence and holistic treatment frameworks, modern biomedical research has yielded mixed results. Some studies suggest that Ejiao may have minor hematopoietic or immunological effects, while others find little evidence to support its use beyond placebo. The lack of large-scale, peer-reviewed clinical trials leaves a gap between traditional claims and scientific validation.
Ethical concerns further complicate the issue. Animal welfare organizations argue that the mass slaughter of donkeys for gelatin, often in inhumane conditions, is unjustifiable—particularly when the benefits of the product remain unproven by contemporary standards. The suffering of animals, coupled with the socioeconomic impact on human communities dependent on donkeys, makes the trade ethically fraught. Some ethicists also question the commodification of animals for luxury health products, especially when alternative collagen sources exist. Marine and bovine collagen are widely available and often used in cosmetics and supplements with fewer ethical concerns and a more scalable supply chain.
In light of these challenges, calls for greater transparency, regulation, and international cooperation are growing. Advocates for sustainable development argue that solutions must be holistic—balancing cultural traditions, economic realities, animal welfare, and scientific integrity. Some propose establishing certified, humane farming practices and slaughter protocols, along with traceable supply chains and government oversight. Others suggest investing in research to either confirm or debunk the health claims of Ejiao, thereby enabling more informed consumer choices. Synthetic or plant-based alternatives to animal-derived gelatin are also being explored, though replicating the traditional properties and consumer appeal of Ejiao remains a scientific and marketing challenge.
At the same time, cultural sensitivity is essential. For many consumers, particularly older generations in China, Ejiao is not simply a health product but a deeply rooted symbol of healing and tradition. Efforts to curtail its use must therefore be approached respectfully, emphasizing informed choice and ethical sourcing rather than outright prohibition. Dialogue between traditional medicine practitioners, scientists, policymakers, and community leaders is crucial for finding common ground that respects cultural heritage while addressing modern ethical and ecological imperatives.
In conclusion, donkey hide gelatin represents a complex intersection of tradition, health, commerce, and ethics. Its continued global relevance underscores the need for nuanced approaches to health products that originate in one culture but impact many others. As the world grapples with interconnected challenges in health, biodiversity, and sustainability, the case of Ejiao serves as a compelling example of how traditional practices must evolve within a rapidly changing global context.
Table of Content
1 Market Introduction- Global Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.1 Market Segmentation- Global Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.2 Key Trends- Global Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.2.1 Drivers
1.2.2 Restraints
1.2.3 Type
2 Global Market Forecast- Global Donkey hide gelatin Market
1. By Region
2. By Type
3. By Application
3 Country Wise Forecast- Global Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.1 US
3.1.1 Key Trends
3.1.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.1.3 Market Forecast- US Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.1.4 Key Competitors- US Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.1.5 EXIM
3.1.6 Patents
3.1.7 Scenario Analysis- US Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.1.8 Opportunity Analysis- US Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.2 Canada
3.2.1 Key Trends
3.2.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.2.3 Market Forecast- Canada Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.2.4 Key Competitors- Canada Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.2.5 EXIM
3.2.6 Patents
3.2.7 Scenario Analysis- Canada Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.2.8 Opportunity Analysis- Canada Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.3 UK
3.3.1 Key Trends
3.3.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.3.3 Market Forecast- UK Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.3.4 Key Competitors- UK Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.3.5 EXIM
3.3.6 Patents
3.3.7 Scenario Analysis- UK Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.3.8 Opportunity Analysis- UK Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.4 Germany
3.4.1 Key Trends
3.4.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.4.3 Market Forecast- Germany Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.4.4 Key Competitors- Germany Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.4.5 EXIM
3.4.6 Patents
3.4.7 Scenario Analysis- Germany Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.4.8 Opportunity Analysis- Germany Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.5 France
3.5.1 Key Trends
3.5.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.5.3 Market Forecast- France Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.5.4 Key Competitors- France Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.5.5 EXIM
3.5.6 Patents
3.5.7 Scenario Analysis- France Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.5.8 Opportunity Analysis- France Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.6 Italy
3.6.1 Key Trends
3.6.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.6.3 Market Forecast- Italy Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.6.4 Key Competitors- Italy Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.6.5 EXIM
3.6.6 Patents
3.6.7 Scenario Analysis- Italy Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.6.8 Opportunity Analysis- Italy Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.7 Ireland
3.7.1 Key Trends
3.7.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.7.3 Market Forecast- Ireland Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.7.4 Key Competitors- Ireland Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.7.5 EXIM
3.7.6 Patents
3.7.7 Scenario Analysis- Ireland Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.7.8 Opportunity Analysis- Ireland Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.8 Spain
3.8.1 Key Trends
3.8.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.8.3 Market Forecast- Spain Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.8.4 Key Competitors- Spain Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.8.5 EXIM
3.8.6 Patents
3.8.7 Scenario Analysis- Spain Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.8.8 Opportunity Analysis- Spain Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.9 Belgium
3.9.1 Key Trends
3.9.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.9.3 Market Forecast- Belgium Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.9.4 Key Competitors- Belgium Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.9.5 EXIM
3.9.6 Patents
3.9.7 Scenario Analysis- Belgium Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.9.8 Opportunity Analysis- Belgium Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.10 Switzerland
3.10.1 Key Trends
3.10.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.10.3 Market Forecast- Switzerland Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.10.4 Key Competitors- Switzerland Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.10.5 EXIM
3.10.6 Patents
3.10.7 Scenario Analysis- Switzerland Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.10.8 Opportunity Analysis- Switzerland Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.11 Sweden
3.11.1 Key Trends
3.11.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.11.3 Market Forecast- Sweden Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.11.4 Key Competitors- Sweden Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.11.5 EXIM
3.11.6 Patents
3.11.7 Scenario Analysis- Sweden Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.11.8 Opportunity Analysis- Sweden Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.12 Portugal
3.12.1 Key Trends
3.12.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.12.3 Market Forecast- Portugal Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.12.4 Key Competitors- Portugal Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.12.5 EXIM
3.12.6 Patents
3.12.7 Scenario Analysis- Portugal Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.12.8 Opportunity Analysis- Portugal Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.13 The Netherlands
3.13.1 Key Trends
3.13.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.13.3 Market Forecast- Netherlands Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.13.4 Key Competitors- Netherlands Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.13.5 EXIM
3.13.6 Patents
3.13.7 Scenario Analysis- Netherlands Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.13.8 Opportunity Analysis- Netherlands Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.14 Brazil
3.14.1 Key Trends
3.14.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.14.3 Market Forecast- Brazil Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.14.4 Key Competitors- Brazil Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.14.5 EXIM
3.14.6 Patents
3.14.7 Scenario Analysis- Brazil Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.14.8 Opportunity Analysis- Brazil Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.15 Mexico
3.15.1 Key Trends
3.15.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.15.3 Market Forecast- Mexico Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.15.4 Key Competitors- Mexico Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.15.5 EXIM
3.15.6 Patents
3.15.7 Scenario Analysis- Mexico Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.15.8 Opportunity Analysis- Mexico Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.16 Australia
3.16.1 Key Trends
3.16.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.16.3 Market Forecast- Australia Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.16.4 Key Competitors- Australia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.16.5 EXIM
3.16.6 Patents
3.16.7 Scenario Analysis- Australia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.16.8 Opportunity Analysis- Australia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.17 China
3.17.1 Key Trends
3.17.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.17.3 Market Forecast- China Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.17.4 Key Competitors- China Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.17.5 EXIM
3.17.6 Patents
3.17.7 Scenario Analysis- China Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.17.8 Opportunity Analysis- China Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.18 Indonesia
3.18.1 Key Trends
3.18.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.18.3 Market Forecast- Indonesia Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.18.4 Key Competitors- Indonesia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.18.5 EXIM
3.18.6 Patents
3.18.7 Scenario Analysis- Indonesia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.18.8 Opportunity Analysis- Indonesia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.19 India
3.19.1 Key Trends
3.19.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.19.3 Market Forecast- India Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.19.4 Key Competitors- India Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.19.5 EXIM
3.19.6 Patents
3.19.7 Scenario Analysis- India Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.19.8 Opportunity Analysis- India Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.20 Japan
3.20.1 Key Trends
3.20.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.20.3 Market Forecast- Japan Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.20.4 Key Competitors- Japan Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.20.5 EXIM
3.20.6 Patents
3.20.7 Scenario Analysis- Japan Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.20.8 Opportunity Analysis- Japan Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.21 South Korea
3.21.1 Key Trends
3.21.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.21.3 Market Forecast- South Korea Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.21.4 Key Competitors- South Korea Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.21.5 EXIM
3.21.6 Patents
3.21.7 Scenario Analysis- South Korea Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.21.8 Opportunity Analysis- South Korea Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.22 Thailand
3.22.1 Key Trends
3.22.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.22.3 Market Forecast- Thailand Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.22.4 Key Competitors- Thailand Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.22.5 EXIM
3.22.6 Patents
3.22.7 Scenario Analysis- Thailand Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.22.8 Opportunity Analysis- Thailand Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.23 Malaysia
3.23.1 Key Trends
3.23.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.23.3 Market Forecast- Malaysia Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.23.4 Key Competitors- Malaysia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.23.5 EXIM
3.23.6 Patents
3.23.7 Scenario Analysis- Malaysia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.23.8 Opportunity Analysis- Malaysia Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.24 Singapore
3.24.1 Key Trends
3.24.2 Consumer Spending
o Population
o GDP
o CPI
o Spend per Capita
o Spend as a proportion of GDP
3.24.3 Market Forecast- Singapore Donkey hide gelatin Market
1.By Type
2.By Application
3.24.4 Key Competitors- Singapore Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.24.5 EXIM
3.24.6 Patents
3.24.7 Scenario Analysis- Singapore Donkey hide gelatin Market
3.24.8 Opportunity Analysis- Singapore Donkey hide gelatin Market
4 Opportunity Matrix- Global Donkey hide gelatin Market
5 Conclusions and Recommendations- Global Donkey hide gelatin Market
6 About Global Food & Beverages
