Achi news desk-
In September 2022, authorities in the port of Karachi seized a ship full of donkey skins that was being transported to export salt and handicrafts.
A recent report suggests that over the years China has turned to Pakistan and Afghanistan to meet the growing local demand for donkey skins.
Earlier, the demand for donkey skins in China was mainly met from Africa, because the working class in Africa is facing devastating economic conditions.
Why is the demand for donkey skins high in China? And what methods are used to achieve this?
The demand for donkey skin in China is due to its use in a local medicine called ‘E Jiao’ It is an important ingredient in beauty products and many medicines said to increase blood flow and boost the immune system the body’s immunity is considered useful.
Traditionally, e-jiao is a very expensive product. It became very popular among the Chinese elite during the Qing dynasty in China from 1644 to 1912. Recently, Yi Jiao gained popularity from the Chinese TV series ‘Empress in the Palace’. The series was broadcast in 2011.
China’s donkey population has fallen by 80 percent due to the ejiao industry. In 1992, there were 1.1 million donkeys in China, now there are only 2 million. Therefore, the Ejiao industry has to import skins from abroad to meet its consumption.
Where do most donkeys come from?
Lauren Johnstone, an expert on China-Africa relations, says the growing use of ejiao has made the international trade in donkeys attractive.
This attractive trade has also had the greatest impact on Africa, which is the largest market for this raw material, because the African continent has the largest population of donkeys in the world.
Human trafficking and sanctions
In February this year, the African Union, based on 55 countries, announced that the export of donkey skins and slaughter was banned in Africa. In 2022, Tanzania imposed a 10-year ban on its export. Despite these restrictions, donkey skins continue to be exported to China through smuggling and other means.
Why are the number of donkeys less?
According to zoologists, donkeys reproduce more slowly than cows, goats and pigs.
Compared to other cattle, the donkey’s gestation period is 11 to 14 and a half months, and often only one child is born from one pregnancy.
Experts say it would take at least two decades to meet China’s annual consumption of 5.9 million donkey skins, if farming took place.
