Remember the public outcry when University of Stellenbosch meat scientists published a study in 2013 showing that some processed meat products in retail stores contained donkey flesh that was not declared on the packaging? The societal outrage that ensued was not due to product mislabelling and the cheating of consumers, but rather to the use of donkey meat itself.
Well, guess what? The donkeys are back, but this time they are neither packaged nor preserved. Last week, I received an invitation from Anga Holdings representative Mompati Kgomanyane-Modimogale, who wanted to share insights about the donkey product value chain. Having recently read about new investment in Kenya and Zimbabwe aimed at creating this value chain, I accepted the invitation.
To my surprise, the presentation did not touch on donkey skins and meat, but focused only on donkey milk, and the soap and lotion that is derived from it. Anga Holdings considers donkey milk a good alternative for consumers with bovine dairy allergies. It can also be used as a supplement for breast milk.
More striking in the presentation was the price of donkey milk in countries such as India, where one litre sells for $60. In Botswana, 250ml sells for about 80 pula ($7.6). As milk, soap and lotion from Botswana were handed out to attendees, I have first-hand experience of these products.
Although the industry is not yet well established in SA, Kgomanyane-Modimogale believes there is potential to establish a market in the country, despite negative public perceptions about donkey products. He hopes that with a strong marketing, research and education drive about donkey products, the public’s perception will change.
Other African countries have ventured into the donkey skins and meat business. Earlier in 2017, a Chinese company reportedly invested $6m in building a donkey abattoir in Kenya, which processes hundreds of donkeys daily.
This investment was mainly driven by demand for meat and skins in China and other Asian countries. The skins are used for traditional medicine, while the meat is viewed as a nutritious food source. In Kenya, the price of donkey skins has increased from less than $40 in 2016 to $130 in 2017. This is still competitive compared to Asian countries, where prices have doubled to $240 over the past year.
While it is unclear where the development of donkey value chains will lead in the long term ... countries stand a good chance to benefit from the growing Asian demand
With donkeys not yet formally regulated as a recognised livestock market, the growing global demand for the animals has led to theft in many communities and pressure on free-ranging donkey populations. Governments in countries such as Botswana, Mali and Niger have therefore banned donkey products exports.
Data from the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation show that Africa has about 18.9-million donkeys.
Ethiopia accounts for more than a third of that, with a 39% share. Trailing Ethiopia are Niger, Egypt, Nigeria and Burkina Faso, with 9%, 7%, 7% and 6%, respectively.
While it is unclear where the development of donkey value chains will lead in the long term, the aforementioned countries stand a good chance to benefit from the growing Asian demand.
SA remains the smallest player in the donkey market with 156,000 donkeys. This makes up a single percentage share in the continent’s herd.
Initiatives such as that of Kgomanyane-Modimogale — one that stresses the sustainability and breeding of donkeys for a variety of products, not just their meat and skin — may eventually change perceptions of its domestic use to more commercially orientated export business ventures.
• Sihlobo (@WandileSihlobo) heads agribusiness research at the Agricultural Business Chamber.
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