open access

Submitted: 2026-07-25
Animal Production and Health
Published: 2026-09-08

Quantitative assessment of economic valorization of slaughterhouse waste in pastoral areas of Niger

Department of Animal Production and Food Technology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Djibo Hamani University of Tahoua, Niger
Department of Rural Sociology and Economics, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Djibo Hamani University of Tahoua, Niger
National Institute of Agronomic Research of Niger, Niamey, Niger
Department of Animal Production and Food Technology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Djibo Hamani University of Tahoua, Niger

Abstract

Meat production generates substantial slaughterhouse waste that, if poorly managed, poses environmental and health risks while representing a loss of potentially valuable resources. This study assessed the economic valorization potential of slaughterhouse waste at Tahoua abattoir (Niger). Major by-products - blood, gastrointestinal content, horns, hooves, bile, and cranial bones - were weighed in 30 cattle, 20 camels, 100 sheep, and 100 goats, and willingness to pay for their utilization was estimated among 150 potential users. Gastrointestinal content was the largest waste fraction: 23.5 kg in cattle, 35.9 kg in camels, 3.95 kg in sheep, and 1.0 kg in goats, followed by blood. Age significantly influenced gastrointestinal content in camels. Sex, breed, and category affected certain fractions, particularly gastrointestinal content and horn structures, while other fractions showed minor variations. Economic analysis indicated that only use as fertilizer elicited a positive willingness to pay. These results provide a basis for optimizing the valorization of high-value by-products and improving sustainable slaughterhouse waste management.

Keywords: Animal by-products, Preference model, Economic valuation, Urban slaughterhouse, Niger