Donkey Milk Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Donkey Milk Market is projected to expand from USD 28.63 Million in 2025 to USD 56.97 Million by 2031, achieving a CAGR of 12.15%. This industry focuses on the commercialization of milk from Equus asinus, which is valued for its high lysozyme content and biochemical resemblance to human breast milk. Market growth is fundamentally supported by the rising incidence of cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) in infants, requiring hypoallergenic alternatives, alongside the dermatology sector's demand for natural, regenerative ingredients. These drivers suggest the industry is anchored in essential therapeutic and nutritional requirements rather than temporary consumer trends.

However, the market faces significant hurdles regarding scalability due to fragmented supply chains and restricted production capacities. Reliance on small-scale farms with low yields creates a bottleneck for mass commercialization. For instance, the 'Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Razze Equine e Asinine Italiane' reported in '2024' that 'the registered population of the Romagnolo donkey breed, a utilized dairy lineage, stood at merely 1,202 specimens'. This statistic highlights the severe shortage of specialized dairy herds, which hampers the industry's capacity to consistently satisfy growing international demand.

Market Drivers

The sector is primarily driven by increasing usage in premium personal care and cosmetics, where the milk is positioned as a high-value organic ingredient. Due to its richness in vitamins and essential fatty acids, donkey milk is heavily marketed for its regenerative and anti-aging properties in luxury skincare. According to News9live, May 2024, in the 'Why is donkey milk expensive? Sells for Rs 5000/litre' article, raw donkey milk is valued between Rs 5,000 and Rs 7,000 per litre in niche markets. This high price point encourages producers to focus on the cosmetic sector, where profit margins exceed those of conventional dairy, ensuring continued investment from boutique brands.

Concurrently, the market is bolstered by the rising adoption of donkey milk as a hypoallergenic substitute for infant formula. Its protein structure is remarkably similar to human breast milk, making it vital for infants suffering from Cow Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). As reported by NutraIngredients in January 2024, in the 'New nutritional substitute? Donkey milk touted as potential ingredient for infant and ageing products' report, whey protein constitutes 58% of the total protein in donkey milk, which is crucial for reduced allergenicity and immune regulation. This nutritional profile supports the development of products like freeze-dried powders; according to Southonomix in August 2024, in the 'With significant benefits for humans, donkey milk is struggling to find a place in the market' article, these processed derivatives can cost up to Rs 30,000 for a half-kilogram package.

Market Challenges

A major constraint facing the Global Donkey Milk Market is the severe lack of production capacity caused by fragmented supply chains and the biological limitations inherent to the species. Unlike standard dairy livestock, donkeys have long reproductive cycles and naturally low milk yields, preventing the rapid supply scaling needed for industrial operations. This inefficiency makes it challenging for processors to obtain the consistent, high-volume raw materials required for mass-market dermatological or infant formula manufacturing, leaving the industry struggling to move beyond niche artisan sales.

Recent inventory data highlighting a contraction in key livestock populations further evidences this supply-side deficit. According to the 'China Animal Agriculture Association', in '2025', 'the national donkey inventory was reported to be approximately 1.46 million, a volume inadequate to satisfy the growing industrial processing needs'. This acute scarcity of specialized herds directly restricts market growth, maintaining prohibitively high production costs and preventing the sector from fulfilling the escalating international demand for regenerative and hypoallergenic ingredients.

Market Trends

The Global Donkey Milk Market is strategically expanding beyond pediatric and dermatological uses through the growth of niche gourmet confectionery and artisan cheeses. Producers are leveraging the rarity of the milk to create ultra-premium foods, such as Pule cheese, which target affluent consumers valuing exclusivity over basic nutrition. This approach allows manufacturers to secure exceptional margins; according to ABP Live, December 2025, in the 'The World's Most Expensive Cheese Comes From Donkeys, Not Cows' article, Pule cheese is priced at approximately ₹1,17,866 per kilogram, highlighting the sector's lucrative potential in the high-end gourmet segment.

Simultaneously, the shift toward certified organic and ethically sourced production is transforming consumer engagement and supply chain transparency. Industry stakeholders are adopting social enterprise models that emphasize fair compensation for small-scale breeders and animal welfare, which helps secure a high-quality, consistent supply of raw materials. This ethical approach appeals to conscious consumers and stabilizes the economic base for primary producers. As noted by The Economic Times, July 2025, in the 'From Goa trip saving to a startup' report, adopting ethical sourcing practices has allowed participating rural families to increase their monthly income to Rs 14,000.

Key Players Profiled in the Donkey Milk Market

• Donna Tina Farm
• Asinus Atlanticus S. A.
• Eurolactis Group SA
• Dolphin IBA Nutricosmetics & Cosmeceuticals Private Limited
• Hellenic Asinus Farms
• P.E.S. Ktima Georgiadi LTD.
• Stephenson Group Ltd.
• The Donkey Dairy PTY LTD.
• Azienda agricola Montebaducco
• The White Sea & Baltic Company Limited

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Donkey Milk Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Donkey Milk Market, by Form:

• Liquid
• Powder

Donkey Milk Market, by Application:

• Food Service
• Food Processing
• Medical Applications
• Others

Donkey Milk Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Donkey Milk Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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