Market evolution: Live horses asses mules hinnies (CN 0101) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyzes the trade of live horses, asses, mules, and hinnies (Combined Nomenclature code 0101) by the European Union with non-EU countries over the 2015–2025 period. Drawing from the provided trade data, it examines the evolution of trade volumes, values, market structure, and key dynamics. The analysis reveals a period of significant growth for the EU, characterized by a strengthening net export position, the emergence of new trade partnerships, and notable shifts within product segments.

1. Solidifying a Net Export Position and Surging Trade Volumes

The EU has substantially increased its role as a global supplier in this market over the decade, with export growth outpacing import growth. This has led to a dramatic improvement in the trade balance.

EU export value and volume have expanded significantly, cementing a strong positive trade balance

Between 2015 and 2025, the EU's total export value for CN 0101 grew by 63.7%, rising from €808 million to €1.32 billion. Quantities shipped, measured in net mass, increased by 42.3% over the same period. Import growth was more modest, with value rising 18.3% to €477 million. Consequently, the EU's trade surplus more than doubled, increasing from €404 million in 2015 to €845 million in 2025 (General Overview trade data).

The UK and US remain dominant partners, but new destinations are growing rapidly

The United Kingdom and the United States are the EU's largest export markets by value. However, growth has been particularly strong with other partners, indicating diversification. Exports to Switzerland (+100.5%), Mexico (+109.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (+115.3%) more than doubled in value. Most strikingly, exports to China grew by 116.3% to €20.3 million, and to Mexico to €47.9 million, making them key emerging destinations (Top partners by value).

The supplementary unit count reveals a surge in the number of animals traded

A key nuance emerges when comparing mass (tonnes) with the supplementary unit count (number of items). While export mass increased by 42.3%, the number of items exported exploded by 369.8%, reaching 106,467 items in 2025. This indicates a pronounced shift towards trading a much larger volume of lighter or smaller animals, or a change in reporting practices. Import supplementary quantities also more than doubled (General Overview trade data).

2. Market Structure: Specialization, Concentration, and the UK Dependency

The EU's trade exhibits clear specialization patterns among its member states and a moderately concentrated market structure, with a persistent high dependency on the United Kingdom for imports.

Ireland and Denmark exhibit the strongest export specialization, while the Netherlands holds the largest absolute share

Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) data for 2025 shows Ireland (RSCA=0.656) and Denmark (RSCA=0.594) as highly specialized exporters of CN 0101 products. France and Belgium also show strong specialization. However, the Netherlands holds the largest share of EU exports by value (18.3% in 2025), though its specialization index is more moderate. Conversely, Austria, Estonia, and Czechia show no specialization in this product category (Most specialised reporters).

Import and export concentration have slightly decreased, but the UK remains the linchpin of EU imports

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for exports fell from 2,997 in 2015 to 2,854 in 2025, indicating a modest diversification of export partners. Import concentration also saw a minor decrease (HHI from 6,278 to 6,008). Despite this, the import market remains highly concentrated due to the United Kingdom's dominant role. The UK supplied €361.8 million (75.8%) of EU imports in 2025, up from €311.0 million (77.1%) in 2015. This represents a significant and growing dependency (Concentration HHI, Top partners).

3. Segment Dynamics: The Shifting Composition and Price Volatility

The broad CN 0101 category encompasses different animal types with distinct trade trajectories. Price volatility in specific export routes has also been a notable feature.

"Live horses (excl. pure-bred)" drove import growth, while pure-bred breeding horses dominated exports

Within the product segments, the growth story is uneven. On the import side, the surge was led by "Live horses (excl. pure-bred for breeding)" (CN 010129). Its imported mass tripled from 1,264 tonnes in 2015 to 3,988 tonnes in 2025, and its value increased to €76.9 million. For exports, "Pure-bred breeding horses" (CN 010121) remained the highest-value segment, generating €546.7 million in 2025, though its unit value (EUR/kg) has declined over the period, potentially indicating market saturation or competitive pressures (Product Segment Breakdown).

Export unit values have declined overall, suggesting changes in the quality mix or competitive landscape

The average export price per tonne for CN 0101 fell from €78,845 in 2015 to €90,667 in 2025, a 15% increase. However, this aggregate figure masks divergent trends. The unit value for exported "Pure-bred breeding horses" (CN 010121) decreased from €122,889/t to €99,605/t. In contrast, the unit value for "Live horses (excl. pure-bred)" (CN 010129) rose from €56,868/t to €85,662/t. The large drop in the supplementary unit price (EUR per item) of exports (-65.2%) further confirms the shift towards a higher number of lower-value animals per unit of mass (General Overview trade data).

Specific export routes have experienced significant price shocks, indicating volatile niche markets

The volatility analysis identified pronounced price shocks in certain export flows. The most extreme was a 122.3% year-on-year price shift for exports to the United Arab Emirates in 2023, labeled as a major price shock. Similarly, exports to Norway in 2022 saw a 162.7% price increase. These shocks, which account for a small share of total value, suggest that trade in specific high-value or niche segments (e.g., competition or leisure horses) can be highly volatile and subject to large, one-off transactions (Volatility & Shocks).

Conclusion

Over the 2015–2025 period, the EU has solidified its position as a major net exporter of live equines (CN 0101), with export growth significantly outpacing imports. This expansion was fueled not only by traditional markets like the UK and US but also by surging demand from emerging destinations such as China, Mexico, and the UAE. The trade structure is characterized by strong specialization in specific member states like Ireland and Denmark, but remains heavily reliant on the UK as the dominant import supplier.

Internally, the composition of trade is shifting. Import growth has been driven by a surge in non-pure-bred horses, while exports of pure-bred breeding horses face declining unit values. The dramatic increase in the number of animals traded relative to mass points to underlying changes in the types of animals or the structure of the market. Finally, while overall concentration has dipped slightly, volatility remains a feature of specific high-value export routes, posing risks for traders in those niche segments.