China imports millions of African donkey hides each year, and demand has risen sharply over the past 15 years, according to a new book and related reporting. The publications focus on how growing demand—linked mainly to buyers in China—has increased the value of donkey hides in parts of Africa.
Across outlets, Lauren Johnston, a specialist in China–Africa trade and author of “China, Africa and the Market for Donkeys,” is presented as the key source. The coverage frames the issue as driven by demand for donkey-derived materials used in “Chinese medicine,” while also pointing to broader impacts on donkey populations.
One outlet adds a specific estimate and a theft-related share, while the others emphasize the overall trend and Johnston’s research without the same level of quantitative detail. Together, the reports indicate the trade’s expansion and its China connection, with variation primarily in how much numerical context is provided.
