Donkey Milk Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Form (Liquid, Powder), By Application (Food Service, Food Processing, Medical Applications, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 28.63 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	12.15%
Fastest Growing Segment	Liquid
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 56.97 Million

Market Overview

The Global Donkey Milk Market will grow from USD 28.63 Million in 2025 to USD 56.97 Million by 2031 at a 12.15% CAGR. The Global Donkey Milk Market centers on the commercial production and distribution of milk obtained from Equus asinus, a product distinguished by its biochemical similarity to human breast milk and high lysozyme content. The market’s expansion is primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) in infants, which necessitates hypoallergenic dietary alternatives, and the growing demand for natural ingredients in the dermatology sector due to the milk's regenerative properties. These fundamental drivers are distinct from temporary trends, rooting the industry's growth in essential nutritional and therapeutic needs rather than fleeting consumer preferences.

However, the sector encounters a significant challenge in the form of limited production capacity and fragmented supply chains, which restricts scalability. The industry relies on small-scale farming with low individual yields, creating a bottleneck for mass commercialization. According to the 'Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Razze Equine e Asinine Italiane', in '2024', 'the registered population of the Romagnolo donkey breed, a utilized dairy lineage, stood at merely 1,202 specimens'. This figure underscores the acute scarcity of specialized dairy herds, impeding the market's ability to consistently meet rising international demand.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing utilization in premium personal care and cosmetics acts as a primary catalyst for the market, leveraging the milk's reputation as a high-value organic ingredient. Rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins, donkey milk is aggressively marketed for its anti-aging and regenerative effects in luxury skincare formulations. Reflecting this premium status, according to News9live, May 2024, in the 'Why is donkey milk expensive? Sells for Rs 5000/litre' article, raw donkey milk commands a price between Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 per litre in niche markets. This high valuation incentivizes producers to prioritize the cosmetic sector, where margins are significantly higher than in conventional dairy, ensuring sustained interest from boutique skincare brands.

Simultaneously, growth is propelled by the growing adoption of donkey milk as a hypoallergenic infant formula substitute. The milk's protein structure closely mirrors human breast milk, making it a critical option for infants with Cow Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA). According to NutraIngredients, January 2024, in the 'New nutritional substitute? Donkey milk touted as potential ingredient for infant and ageing products' report, 58% of the total protein in donkey milk is whey protein, a composition essential for immune regulation and reduced allergenicity. This nutritional validity drives the expansion of innovative formulations like freeze-dried powders. Underscoring the economic potential of these derivatives, according to Southonomix, August 2024, in the 'With significant benefits for humans, donkey milk is struggling to find a place in the market' article, processed donkey milk powder can cost up to Rs 30,000 for a half-kilogram package.

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Key Market Challenges

The significant constraint hampering the Global Donkey Milk Market is the acute shortage of production capacity resulting from fragmented supply chains and the biological limitations of the species. Unlike conventional dairy animals, donkeys possess naturally low milk yields and long reproductive cycles, which prevents the rapid scaling of supply required for industrial-level operations. This inherent inefficiency makes it difficult for processors to secure the consistent, high-volume raw material streams necessary to support mass-market manufacturing for infant formula or dermatological applications. Consequently, the industry struggles to transition from niche artisan sales to broader commercial availability.

This supply-side deficit is evidenced by recent inventory data indicating a contraction in key livestock populations, which threatens raw material availability. 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 stark scarcity of specialized herds directly limits market expansion, keeping production costs prohibitively high and preventing the sector from meeting the escalating international interest in hypoallergenic and regenerative ingredients.

Key Market Trends

The proliferation of niche gourmet confectionery and artisan cheeses is strategically expanding the Global Donkey Milk Market beyond its traditional dermatological and pediatric applications. Producers are capitalizing on the milk's rarity to craft ultra-premium food products like Pule cheese, targeting affluent consumers who value exclusivity over mere nutritional utility. This diversification allows manufacturers to command exceptional margins that far exceed those of standard dairy goods, effectively positioning the ingredient as a luxury commodity. Highlighting this luxury valuation, according to ABP Live, December 2025, in the 'The World's Most Expensive Cheese Comes From Donkeys, Not Cows' article, Pule cheese commands a price of approximately ₹1,17,866 per kilogram, a figure that reinforces the sector's potential in the high-end gourmet segment.

Concurrently, the rise of certified organic and ethically sourced production is fundamentally altering supply chain transparency and consumer engagement. Industry players are increasingly adopting social enterprise models that prioritize animal welfare and fair compensation for small-scale breeders, thereby securing a consistent and high-quality raw material supply. This ethical alignment not only appeals to conscientious buyers but also stabilizes the economic foundation of the primary producers, addressing the critical challenge of herd maintenance. Evidencing the economic impact of this shift, according to The Economic Times, July 2025, in the 'From Goa trip saving to a startup' report, the implementation of ethical sourcing practices has enabled participating rural families to elevate their monthly income to Rs 14,000.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent market intelligence, the Liquid segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Donkey Milk Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the increasing consumer preference for minimally processed products that retain the milk's natural nutritional profile. Unlike powdered alternatives, the liquid form effectively preserves heat-sensitive bioactive components, such as vitamins and enzymes, which are critical for therapeutic and dietary applications. Furthermore, the rising demand for fresh, organic ingredients in the premium personal care industry has significantly bolstered the adoption of liquid donkey milk for high-end skincare formulations.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Donkey Milk Market, driven primarily by the rapid expansion of the personal care and cosmetics sectors. Consumers in the United States and Canada increasingly prioritize premium skincare products containing natural ingredients, such as donkey milk, for their anti-aging and hypoallergenic properties. This region also benefits from high disposable income levels that support the purchase of these luxury items. Furthermore, strict adherence to safety and labeling standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enhances consumer confidence in these organic products, solidifying North America’s dominant market position.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, the Bulgarian company Mar-Iv 2016 EOOD was reported to be facilitating breakthrough research into the human immune system using donkey milk from its farm in Sliven. The company, which operates one of the largest donkey farms in Europe, collaborated with scientific researchers to explore the potential of donkey milk proteins in modulating immune responses and supporting human health. This development highlighted the growing scientific interest in the bioactive components of donkey milk and positioned the company at the forefront of functional food research, aiming to validate the traditional medicinal uses of the milk through modern scientific study.
• In February 2025, The Donkey Dairy, a prominent producer in South Africa, announced strategic plans to significantly expand its operations and product portfolio to meet rising global demand. The company outlined its objectives to increase production efficiency and develop a new range of donkey milk-based value-added products, aiming to enter the international market. This expansion strategy focused on leveraging the milk's nutritional and hypoallergenic properties to create specialized offerings for the health and wellness sectors, moving beyond its established tourism and basic dairy activities to become a globally recognized name in ethical donkey milk production.
• In April 2024, the sole donkey dairy in Oklahoma, Dulce de Donké, achieved a significant regulatory milestone when state legislation was advanced to permit the advertising of on-farm raw donkey milk sales. The new bill, which passed the House Committee on Agriculture unanimously, was designed to include donkey milk in the existing exemptions that allow for the promotion of raw goat milk. This legislative development was crucial for the company, as it enabled the dairy to legally market its raw milk products directly to consumers, expanding its reach beyond its existing sales of skin care products and imported freeze-dried milk.
• In April 2024, a Gujarat-based donkey milk business, often referred to as TDS Donkey Farm, successfully transitioned its operations into a high-value online enterprise, exporting donkey milk powder to international markets including China, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The business capitalized on the global demand for donkey milk in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors, selling powdered milk at premium rates significantly higher than traditional dairy. By establishing a digital sales channel, the company overcame initial low local demand and established a lucrative export model, positioning itself as a key supplier of this niche ingredient for beauty and health products.

Key Market Players

• 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

By Form	By Application	By Region
Liquid Powder	Food Service Food Processing Medical Applications Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Donkey Milk Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• 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
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE