China's Donkey Hide Imports from Africa: Drivers and Impact

China's demand for donkey hides, driven by the traditional medicine ejiao, has grown exponentially over 15 years, with Africa supplying millions of hides annually. This trade threatens donkey populations and rural livelihoods across the continent. Ejiao, a donkey hide gelatin tonic consumed by millions of Chinese women, has expanded from medicinal use into cosmetics and wellness products. Africa holds two-thirds of the world's donkeys, and a single hide can fetch over $400 in China, fueling legal and illicit trade. The 2024 African Union backed a 15-year moratorium on donkey slaughter, but implementation remains uneven. Stolen donkeys deprive households of essential labor, with women and children losing significant weekly work hours, while prices have risen beyond poor families' reach.