Donkey fair held in Faku, Shenyang

The 5th Northeast China donkey trade fair, hosted by the China Animal Agriculture Association, the national donkey industry technological innovation strategic alliance, and the Faku county people’s government, was held at the Yemaotai livestock market in Faku county, Shenyang, capital of Northeast China’s Liaoning province, on Sept 23.

Businesspeople from more than 10 provinces and cities across the country, including Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Inner Mongolia, and Heilongjiang, participated in the fair.

The Yemaotai livestock market, originating in the middle of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), has developed into the largest trading market for donkeys, horses, and mules in the country.

After an expansion in July 2015, the market now covers an area of 30,000 square meters, and more than 150,000 animals are traded each year, with an annual turnover of 1 billion yuan ($140.71 million).

The fair is meant to promote the development of the local donkey industry and increase the Faku donkey’s popularity in the national donkey market, according to organizers.