The demand for donkeys in Pakistan has skyrocketed, leading to a significant price increase, driven by China’s growing use of donkey skin in traditional medicine and cosmetics.

Sources report that the price of a donkey has reached up to Rs300,000, a staggering sum for a creature often associated with humble transportation.

This price surge has caused distress among donkey cart drivers in Karachi, who rely on these animals for their livelihood.

According to sources, the weekly donkey market in Karachi’s Lyari district is seeing a decline in local buyers due to the inflated prices.

Sellers attribute the price increase to the rising demand from China. Reports indicate that donkey skin is used in the production of various cosmetics and a traditional Chinese medicine called “Ejiao.” This demand has led to the slaughter of millions of donkeys annually in China.

Donkey cart drivers lament that donkeys, once costing between 8,000 and 12,000 rupees, now fetch Rs30,000 to 35,000, making their daily work significantly more challenging.

The 2024 Economic Survey reveals a substantial increase in the donkey population, reaching 660,000, a rise of 100,000 in a single year. The Senate Standing Committee on Trade has been informed that a protocol for exporting donkey skin and meat to China has been finalized.