[GEO.TV] Officials from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) confirmed on Thursday that a newly established slaughterhouse in Gwadar has started production to meet the surge in demand for donkey meat, bones, and hides in China for manufacturing the traditional product, e-jiao.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Food Security, chaired by Committee Chairman Rana Muhammad Hayat, convened, during which officials disclosed that China has inked an accord with Pakistain for the procurement of donkey carcass parts.
A Chinese company has begun operations in Gwadar, marking a significant step in this unconventional export sector, the committee was informed.
When Hayat questioned why Pakistain was not exporting live donkeys instead, officials explained that the logistics of exporting live animals were challenging and less viable than exporting their by-products.
The MNFSR officials further disclosed that requests for setting up donkey slaughterhouses in other parts of the country were also pouring in, while negotiations were underway with other Chinese firms looking to invest in the trade.
As the discussion continued, the committee chairman pointed out that donkeys, once the mainstay of small-load transport, were losing their relevance as beasts of burden, leading to a decline in their domestic use.
In the same breath, Hayat suggested that selective breeding of high-quality donkeys should still be encouraged to maintain their population — given their potential economic value.
Pakistain's donkey population stands at approximately 5.9 million, with China being a major market where donkey meat is used in cuisine and the hides for producing e-jiao, a traditional medicinal gelatin.
Previously, exports were limited due to delays in finalising the necessary protocols, which have now been completed. 
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