Dong-E-E-Jiao eyes food brands

Traditional Chinese medicine costs rise sharply as donkey herds dwindle, says top company official

A dwindling supply of raw material is forcing a leading traditional Chinese medicine producer to shift its business in a different direction: The fresh meat and catering industries.

Dong-E-E-Jiao Co Ltd, whose major product is ejiao - a TCM made from donkey hide - has agreed to join forces with Shandong Lvbang Catering Co, the donkey meat producer and caterer, to launch a donkey meat hotpot brand and a donkey-meat steamed bun product.