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SITCSection 0
U.S. imports of meat of horses, asses, mules & hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen (SITC 01240) totaled $146K in April 2026, traded with 1 country.
Last updated: April 2026 dataEquine meat — covering horses, asses, mules, and hinnies across all temperature states — occupies a narrow but distinct trade niche, with demand concentrated in certain European and Asian markets rather than the US domestic consumer base. Importation into the US requires USDA FSIS inspection from an approved foreign establishment, and the practical absence of FSIS-approved domestic equine slaughter facilities has shaped the trade flow dynamics for this commodity. Importers should note that equine identification and traceability documentation, including drug-use history records, are increasingly required by foreign regulatory authorities and may affect the eligibility of animals for slaughter.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Horses in the US are frequently administered drugs — such as phenylbutazone — that are prohibited in food animals in many importing countries. Foreign buyers and regulators often require lifetime drug-use records or affidavits for each animal, making sourcing and documentation significantly more complex than for cattle or swine.
The US domestic retail and foodservice market for horse meat is extremely limited, and congressional appropriations riders have periodically restricted USDA funding for equine slaughter inspection. Most equine meat trade involving the US is oriented toward export rather than import for domestic consumption.
Monthly import values over time
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