Why Pakistan’s donkeys are becoming valuable in China: What is driving this surprising demand

A traditional medicine is driving demand for hides and reshaping an unusual export trade A donkey race in Karachi may look like an odd bit of local entertainment. But behind those small carts and cheering crowds is a story that stretches far beyond the streets of Pakistan. Donkeys have become increasingly valuable in Pakistan, partly because of growing Chinese demand for donkey hides. What was once largely a working animal for poor families and small businesses is now part of an international trade linked to ejiao, a traditional Chinese product made from donkey-hide gelatin.Why are Pakistani donkeys attracting Chinese interest?For decades, donkeys in Pakistan have largely been associated with hard labour. They pull carts, carry goods and help people earn a living in places where owning a vehicle is simply not an option.Pakistan has one of the world's largest donkey populations. The country's donkey population has been rising steadily, reaching nearly 6 million, according to livestock data cited in Pakistani media reports.But there is another reason the animal has caught international attention: its skin. China has a long-established market for ejiao, a gelatin made by processing do...