HS Code
020500
Last Updated
2026-06-09
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Horse Meat market coverage spans 74 countries.
- 321 exporter companies and 208 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
- 8,646 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 20 countries.
- 0 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
- Wholesale sample entries: 5; farmgate sample entries: 0.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2026.
- Page data last updated on 2026-06-09.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Horse Meat
Analyze 8,646 supplier-linked transactions across the top 20 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Horse Meat.
Horse Meat Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Horse Meat to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Horse Meat: Ireland (+301.3%), Mexico (+172.6%), Kazakhstan (+156.3%).
Horse Meat Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-07, benchmark Horse Meat country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-12, countries with visible Horse Meat transaction unit prices: Mexico (9.80 USD / kg), Uruguay (6.01 USD / kg), Peru (3.62 USD / kg), Argentina (3.33 USD / kg), Mongolia (2.85 USD / kg), 3 more countries.
| Country | YoY Change | Transaction Count | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mongolia | +34.5% | 77 | 3.20 USD / kg (20,000 kg) | - (-) | 3.18 USD / kg (440,000 kg) | 2.84 USD / kg (674,000 kg) | 2.51 USD / kg (375,252 kg) | 2.85 USD / kg (437,000 kg) | ||||||
| Argentina | -30.0% | 7,343 | 3.73 USD / kg (2,408,792.46 kg) | 4.07 USD / kg (4,537,399.951 kg) | 3.60 USD / kg (4,519,764.65 kg) | 3.60 USD / kg (2,374,041.589 kg) | 3.43 USD / kg (2,096,872.12 kg) | 3.33 USD / kg (2,716,509.531 kg) | ||||||
| Kazakhstan | +156.3% | 148 | 0.67 USD / kg (85,730 kg) | 0.71 USD / kg (122,904.977 kg) | 2.22 USD / kg (677,465.444 kg) | 2.18 USD / kg (541,678.799 kg) | 3.01 USD / kg (533,971.999 kg) | 1.84 USD / kg (355,819.823 kg) | ||||||
| Germany | +29.1% | 4 | - (-) | - (-) | 4.20 USD / kg (230.4 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Uruguay | +12.3% | 487 | 5.54 USD / kg (385,295 kg) | 5.15 USD / kg (909,238 kg) | 5.94 USD / kg (455,862 kg) | 5.69 USD / kg (433,538.7 kg) | 4.64 USD / kg (707,527.679 kg) | 6.01 USD / kg (316,042.45 kg) | ||||||
| United States | +16.9% | 368 | 1.46 USD / kg (922,399.338 kg) | 1.58 USD / kg (684,905.063 kg) | 1.61 USD / kg (1,181,713.537 kg) | 1.62 USD / kg (1,173,862.508 kg) | 1.68 USD / kg (612,379.41 kg) | 1.65 USD / kg (675,394.791 kg) | ||||||
| Hong Kong | +11.5% | 98 | 2.00 USD / kg (159,551 kg) | 2.00 USD / kg (481,417 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Italy | +39.8% | 3 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 2.51 USD / kg (3,276 kg) | - (-) | ||||||
| New Zealand | - | 2 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| Peru | -11.7% | 62 | 2.68 USD / kg (134,997.699 kg) | 2.39 USD / kg (79,825 kg) | 2.96 USD / kg (53,430.039 kg) | 3.89 USD / kg (195,401.47 kg) | 2.95 USD / kg (188,148.23 kg) | 3.62 USD / kg (100,592.891 kg) |
Horse Meat Global Supply Chain Coverage
529 companies
321 exporters and 208 importers are mapped for Horse Meat.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Horse Meat, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Horse Meat Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
321 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Horse Meat. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Horse Meat Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 321 total exporter companies in the Horse Meat supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Kazakhstan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-11-11
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Industries: Animal ProductionCrop Production
Value Chain Roles: Others
(Uzbekistan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-09
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Crop Production
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / Packing
(Mexico)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-05-09
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(Kazakhstan)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-01-21
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Animal ProductionBrokers And Trade AgenciesFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Farming / Production / Processing / PackingTrade
(United States)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-06-11
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Freight Forwarding And IntermodalOthers
Value Chain Roles: LogisticsTrade
(United States)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-12-22
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Animal ProductionFood Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Trade
Horse Meat Global Exporter Coverage
321 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Horse Meat supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Horse Meat opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
Top Exporting Countries for Horse Meat (HS Code 020500) in 2024
For Horse Meat in 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 10 supplier countries to map core supply structure.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 8,362,017.07 kg | 57,816,581.292 USD |
| 2 | Poland | 8,117,352 kg | 49,627,231 USD |
| 3 | Spain | 5,760,658.36 kg | 31,299,467.23 USD |
| 4 | Argentina | 7,832,762.9 kg | 26,398,866.92 USD |
| 5 | Romania | 4,838,516 kg | 22,444,427.4 USD |
| 6 | Netherlands | 3,578,758 kg | 16,953,976.738 USD |
| 7 | Brazil | 2,352,494 kg | 10,620,533 USD |
| 8 | Canada | 1,409,039 kg | 8,894,999.801 USD |
| 9 | Italy | 1,784,884 kg | 8,744,076.571 USD |
| 10 | Iceland | 330,622 kg | 1,850,417.473 USD |
Horse Meat Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary
Track Horse Meat exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.
Horse Meat Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
208 importer companies are mapped for Horse Meat demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Horse Meat Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 208 total importer companies tracked for Horse Meat. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Russia)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Industries: Animal ProductionFreight Forwarding And Intermodal
Value Chain Roles: -
(New Zealand)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-10-16
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Food ManufacturingFood PackagingOthers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Costa Rica)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Animal ProductionBrokers And Trade Agencies
Value Chain Roles: -
(Mexico)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-27
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Animal ProductionFood WholesalersOthers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Uzbekistan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-10-13
Recently Import Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Food ManufacturingOthers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Uzbekistan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-05-09
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingFood ManufacturingFood Services And Drinking Places
Value Chain Roles: -
Global Importer Coverage
208 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Horse Meat.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Horse Meat buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Top Import Demand Countries for Horse Meat (HS Code 020500) in 2024
For Horse Meat in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 23,237,219 kg | 142,178,974.197 USD |
| 2 | Belgium | 11,935,024.67 kg | 60,285,965.605 USD |
| 3 | Japan | 4,677,055 kg | 35,395,333.82 USD |
| 4 | Switzerland | 1,712,310 kg | 24,853,032.827 USD |
| 5 | Netherlands | 2,796,685.393 kg | 11,836,804.473 USD |
| 6 | Finland | 624,436 kg | 2,236,033.509 USD |
| 7 | Germany | 483,750 kg | 2,205,129.382 USD |
| 8 | United States | 683,574 kg | 2,067,337 USD |
| 9 | Luxembourg | 79,603.79 kg | 1,424,004.444 USD |
| 10 | Estonia | 283,656.1 kg | 936,303.09 USD |
Horse Meat Import Trade Flow and Origin Country Summary
Analyze Horse Meat origin-to-destination trade flows by value, volume, and share to monitor demand-side sourcing channels.
Global Wholesale Supplier Price Trends by Country for Horse Meat
Horse Meat Monthly Wholesale Supplier Price Summary by Country
Monthly Horse Meat wholesale unit-price benchmarks by country for export and sourcing decisions.
In 2025-12, countries with visible Horse Meat wholesale unit prices: Ukraine (6.36 USD / kg), South Korea (2.08 USD / kg), Chile (0.00 USD / kg).
| Country | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 | 2026-06 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chile | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | ||||||
| South Korea | 2.17 USD / kg | 2.16 USD / kg | 2.15 USD / kg | 2.10 USD / kg | 2.09 USD / kg | 2.08 USD / kg | ||||||
| Ukraine | - | - | - | 6.39 USD / kg | 6.38 USD / kg | 6.36 USD / kg |
Horse Meat Wholesale Price Competitiveness by Major Exporting Countries
Compare Horse Meat wholesale price ranges and YoY changes across the top 3 exporting countries to benchmark supplier price competitiveness.
| Rank | Country | Average | Lower | Upper | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chile | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | 0.00 USD / kg | +15.7% |
| 2 | South Korea | 2.13 USD / kg | 1.98 USD / kg | 2.56 USD / kg | -5.5% |
| 3 | Ukraine | 6.27 USD / kg | 6.09 USD / kg | 6.40 USD / kg | - |
Latest Horse Meat Wholesale Export Price Updates
Use the latest 5 Horse Meat wholesale updates to validate current export price points and origin-level supplier changes.
| Date | Entry Name | Unit Price (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-01 | Ков**** ************** * ****** *** *** ********* ******** ********* * ******* **** | 6.04 USD / kg | |
| 2026-05-01 | 말 (****** * *** ** ***** **** | 410.94 USD / kg | |
| 2026-05-01 | YEG** * ******* ********* | 1.27 USD / kg | |
| 2026-05-01 | 말 (****** * *** ** ***** **** | 162.87 USD / kg | |
| 2026-05-01 | CAB**** * ******* ****** | 1.57 USD / kg |
Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh/Chilled/Frozen
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupEquine meat
Scientific NameEquus caballus
PerishabilityHigh
Growing Conditions
- Livestock production across mixed systems including extensive pasture-based systems (notably in parts of Central Asia) and mixed husbandry/collection systems in the Americas and Europe
- Compliance-oriented production for export requires controlled veterinary treatment records and traceability documentation suitable for competent authority review
Main VarietiesChilled boneless cuts (vacuum/MAP packed), Frozen cuts (bulk/cartoned for export), Carcasses/quarters or bone-in cuts (market-dependent)
Consumption Forms
- Fresh/chilled cuts in traditional retail and foodservice channels where permitted
- Frozen cuts for long-distance trade and processing/portioning at destination
- Processed meat products (e.g., minced/sausages) in markets where regulatory and labeling conditions allow
Grading Factors
- Traceability documentation integrity (animal identification/passport systems where applicable)
- Veterinary drug residue compliance (including substances not permitted for animals entering the food chain in certain markets)
- Cut specification, trim level, and fat cover expectations
- Temperature state at delivery (fresh/chilled vs frozen) and cold-chain evidence (time/temperature records)
Market
Horse meat is a niche globally traded red meat, typically moving as chilled or frozen cuts under HS 0205, with trade shaped by strong regulatory scrutiny and culturally concentrated demand. Recent UN Comtrade-derived trade profiles show exports led by a mix of Central Asian supply (notably Mongolia) and European/South American exporters, while import demand is concentrated in a small set of markets led by Italy and several EU member states, plus Japan and China. Market access depends heavily on traceability and veterinary drug compliance, reinforced by heightened controls following past EU-wide fraud and residue monitoring actions. As a result, competitiveness is driven less by scale and more by verified origin, documentation integrity, and cold-chain reliability.
Market GrowthMixed
Major Producing Countries
- ChinaAmong leading producers in FAO FAOSTAT livestock production statistics for horse meat (country reporting varies by definition and coverage).
- KazakhstanAmong leading producers in FAO FAOSTAT livestock production statistics; significant domestic consumption in Central Asia.
- MongoliaSignificant producer and a leading exporter in recent UN Comtrade-derived trade profiles.
Major Exporting Countries
- MongoliaLeading exporter by value in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- BelgiumAmong top exporters in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023); EU processing/trading hub dynamics may contribute to re-exports.
- PolandAmong top exporters in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- UruguayAmong top exporters in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- SpainAmong top exporters in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- ArgentinaAmong leading exporters in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
Major Importing Countries
- ItalyLargest reported importer by value in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- ChinaAmong top importers in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- BelgiumAmong top importers in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023); may reflect processing and intra-EU distribution.
- FranceAmong top importers in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- JapanAmong top importers in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
- SwitzerlandAmong top importers in UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023).
Specification
Major VarietiesFresh or chilled horse meat (HS 0205, non-frozen), Frozen horse meat (HS 0205, frozen), Boneless cuts (vacuum-packed for chilled trade; bulk-packed for frozen trade), Carcasses/quarters or bone-in cuts (where permitted and demanded)
Physical Attributes
- Lean, dark red meat profile relative to many beef cuts; color stability and purge control are key buyer concerns in chilled formats
- Cut specification and trim level (fat cover, tendon/sinew removal) are common contract differentiators
Compositional Metrics
- Veterinary drug residue compliance is a critical buyer specification; phenylbutazone use is not permitted in animals destined for the human food chain in the EU context and has been a focus of coordinated monitoring
- Species authenticity verification (DNA-based testing) may be applied as part of fraud prevention programs in certain markets
Packaging
- Vacuum packaging for chilled boneless cuts to reduce oxidation and extend distribution life
- Cartoned frozen blocks or individually packed cuts for reefer container shipment
- Tamper-evident labeling and lot coding aligned to traceability documentation requirements
ProcessingChilled vs. frozen format selection is closely linked to route length and buyer shelf-life needs; frozen trade is commonly used to reduce spoilage risk on long-distance lanesTraceability documentation (animal identification/passport systems where applicable) is often a transaction-critical requirement, not just a quality preference
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Collection/transport of horses for slaughter -> ante-mortem checks -> slaughter and dressing -> carcass chilling -> deboning/cutting -> packaging (often vacuum/MAP for chilled) -> freezing (for frozen trade) -> export cold-chain logistics -> importer cold storage/processing -> wholesale/retail/foodservice
Demand Drivers
- Culinary tradition and established consumption niches in parts of Europe and East Asia, reflected in concentrated import demand
- Price competitiveness and availability relative to substitute red meats in specific segments
- Buyer preference for verified origin and documentation integrity in regulated import channels
Temperature
- Frozen formats commonly use a -18°C reference temperature for storage and distribution in quick-frozen supply chains (competent authority tolerances may apply); cold-chain continuity remains critical for safety and quality
- Freezing inhibits microbial growth but is not a lethal treatment for microbiological contamination, increasing the importance of hygienic slaughter and handling controls upstream
Atmosphere Control
- Vacuum packaging and modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) are commonly used for chilled cuts to manage oxidation and purge during distribution
Shelf Life
- Frozen trade supports long-distance shipment windows when temperature control is maintained; chilled trade windows are shorter and more sensitive to temperature excursions and packaging integrity
Risks
Food Safety and Traceability HighHorse meat trade is highly exposed to market access shocks from traceability failures and veterinary drug residue non-compliance. EU-wide coordinated actions following the 2013–2014 horse meat incident included systematic DNA authenticity testing and targeted monitoring for phenylbutazone residues, reflecting how quickly fraud/residue concerns can escalate into intensified controls, shipment delays, or delistings.Implement end-to-end traceability controls (verified animal ID/passport documentation where applicable), routine species-authenticity (DNA) checks, veterinary drug residue testing aligned to importer requirements, and strict supplier approval/audit programs.
Regulatory Compliance MediumImport eligibility is sensitive to evolving competent authority requirements on equine identification, residue monitoring, labeling, and approved establishment listings; non-compliance can lead to rejections, intensified inspection rates, or temporary suspensions.Maintain current importer market access dossiers (approved plant lists, certificates, labeling rules) and pre-clear documentation with import agents before loading.
Animal Health MediumEquine disease events and associated movement controls can disrupt slaughter throughput and cross-border trade, with international trade standards framed through WOAH guidance for terrestrial animals and their products.Source from suppliers operating under competent-authority oversight consistent with WOAH standards (including disease reporting and certification) and diversify origins where possible.
Logistics MediumCold-chain failures (temperature excursions, packaging breaches, port delays) can degrade quality and increase spoilage or safety risks, especially for chilled formats and for frozen lots subjected to repeated partial thaw-refreeze cycles.Use validated packaging, temperature monitoring (e.g., data loggers), contingency routing, and strict loading practices to protect product temperature and integrity.
Sustainability
- Cold-chain energy use and associated emissions for frozen long-distance shipments
Labor & Social
- Food fraud and traceability risk (mislabeling/adulteration history, including EU coordinated actions in 2013–2014)
- Animal welfare and ethical concerns around horse transport and slaughter, which can trigger policy restrictions and market access disruptions
FAQ
Which countries are among the leading exporters of horse meat in recent trade data?UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023) list Mongolia, Belgium, Poland, Uruguay, Spain, and Argentina among the top exporting countries by trade value.
Which countries are major import markets for horse meat globally?UN Comtrade-derived WITS profiles for HS 020500 (2023) show imports concentrated in a small set of markets led by Italy, alongside China, Belgium, France, Japan, and Switzerland.
Why is horse meat considered high-risk from a trade compliance perspective?Horse meat trade is highly sensitive to traceability and residue compliance. EU coordinated actions in 2013–2014 addressed mislabeling of horse meat in products marketed as beef and included targeted testing for phenylbutazone residues, reinforcing the need for robust documentation, authenticity verification, and residue monitoring.
Sources
Horse Meat Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices
Explore country-level Horse Meat market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
All country market pages: China, Italy, Uruguay, Colombia, France, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Japan, Mongolia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Russia, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Poland, Slovakia, Canada, Switzerland, Romania, Finland, Mexico, United States, Australia, Brazil, Liberia, Estonia, Ireland, Iceland, Austria, Vietnam, Lithuania, Sweden, Chile, Peru, Turkiye, Hungary, Ecuador, Czechia, United Kingdom, Croatia, Malta, Greece, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Panama, South Africa, Latvia, Morocco, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kyrgyzstan, Denmark, Slovenia, Portugal, Moldova, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Guatemala, Andorra, Benin, Belarus, Egypt, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Swaziland, Togo, Ukraine
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