Africa: China Imports Millions of Donkey Hides From Africa Every Year - New Book Traces the Drivers and Impact
The demand for donkey hides in China, driven by the traditional medicine 'ejiao', has led to a massive increase in imports from Africa. This trade has expanded from medicinal use to a wide range of commercial wellness products, raising questions about sustainability.
Why it matters
The industrial-scale demand for donkey hides impacts African economies and raises ethical and environmental concerns regarding the sustainability of the trade.
The demand for donkey hides has grown exponentially over the past 15 years, driven mainly by demand from China. Lauren Johnston is a specialist on China trade with Africa. She has spent several years looking into the donkey trade, and has just published a book , China, Africa and the Market for Donkeys. She answers questions about what she found.
What drives the demand? Which countries have the biggest markets?
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