The cost of donkeys in Pakistan has reached unprecedented levels, with prices climbing to Rs. 300,000 per animal. This surge is attributed to high demand from China, where donkey hides are used to produce cosmetics and traditional medicines.

According to a report from Express Tribune, the booming export market has made it difficult for local buyers to keep up, shrinking the sale and purchase of donkeys within the country. Traders involved in exporting donkey hides are actively buying up stock to fulfill orders from China, driving prices even higher.

Local communities that rely on donkeys for transport and labor are now struggling to afford these animals, which were once readily available. The rise in prices has created challenges for farmers and laborers, particularly in rural areas where donkeys are a crucial part of daily life.

In response to this growing demand, Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Commerce recommended the export of live donkeys to China, rather than just hides. Current donkey hide exports are unrestricted, and authorities are now working on guidelines for exporting donkey meat as well.