Why are donkeys becoming prohibitively expensive for Nigerian sand diggers?

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Donkeys Prohibitively Expensive for Nigerian Sand Diggers Due to Soaring Demand for Skins in China

The escalating cost of donkeys, now ranging from 70,000 to 75,000 naira compared to 15,000 to 18,000 naira two years prior, is creating significant hardship for Nigerian sand diggers like Abubakar Ya'u. This price surge is primarily driven by a substantial increase in demand for donkey skins in China, where they are processed into a gelatin known as "Ejiao" and believed to possess medicinal properties. This demand is so intense that it depletes local stocks at an "alarming rate," according to sand digger Abdurrahman Garba.
Chinese Demand for Ejiao Drives Up Prices

The core reason behind the prohibitive expense of donkeys for Nigerian sand diggers lies in the robust demand from China for donkey hides. In China, these hides are stewed to create Ejiao, a gelatin that is marketed as a potent blood tonic and a remedy for various ailments, including anaemia and the effects of aging. The market for Ejiao is substantial, with prices reaching up to US$390 per kilogramme. This high value placed on the hides directly translates into increased purchasing power for Chinese buyers, who are willing to pay significantly more for donkeys.
Export Bans and Trade Routes Exacerbate Scarcity

The situation is further complicated by export bans imposed by neighbouring countries, which inadvertently redirect Chinese demand towards Nigeria's donkey population. Niger, for instance, has banned donkey exports to conserve its own stock, prompting Chinese traders to turn their attention to Nigeria. This shift intensifies the pressure on Nigerian donkeys, leading to their depletion. Donkey dealers often exploit established trade routes, transporting animals from the north, where they are less consumed, to the south, where they are slaughtered for their meat and skins destined for export.
Economic Impact on Local Industries

For Nigerian sand diggers and other local industries reliant on donkeys for transport and labour, the soaring prices represent a severe economic blow. The inability to afford replacement animals after losing a donkey can cripple livelihoods, as highlighted by Abubakar Ya'u's sentiment that it is a "calamity." The trade in donkey skins is so lucrative that dealers sometimes resort to illicit practices, such as selling donkey meat as beef, to maximise profits, further distorting the market and impacting consumer trust.
Global Donkey Population Decline and Trade Concerns

The intense global demand for donkey hides, estimated to require approximately four million hides annually to meet China's 5,000-tonne Ejiao production, has led to a significant decline in donkey populations worldwide. Official statistics indicate a substantial decrease in China's donkey numbers, from 11 million in the 1990s to six million in 2013. This global scarcity, coupled with restrictions in countries like Botswana, Senegal, and Mali, intensifies the pressure on remaining donkey populations, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the trade and the potential extinction of the species.

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Why are donkeys becoming prohibitively expensive for Nigerian sand diggers?

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