African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market Size and Trends Research [2033]

African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market Overview

The African Horse Sickness Market size was valued at USD 90.19 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 155.03 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2033.

The African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market plays a crucial role in safeguarding equine populations from one of the most severe viral diseases affecting horses, mules, and donkeys. African horse sickness (AHS), a non-contagious, insect-borne disease caused by the Orbivirus, affects over 1 million equines annually in high-risk areas.

The global demand for vaccines surged following the 2021 outbreak in Thailand, which led to over 500 horse deaths within weeks. Countries with warm climates and high vector presence such as Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and parts of Asia are key regions for vaccine deployment. AHS vaccines are a cornerstone for disease control, particularly in South Africa, where an estimated 300,000 horses are at annual risk. In 2023, over 3.5 million doses were distributed globally, with live attenuated vaccines accounting for 72% of total usage.

The market is highly influenced by seasonal outbreaks and international horse movement regulations, especially for racing and trading. Governments and veterinary bodies across 25 countries have made AHS vaccination compulsory in endemic zones. Continuous innovation in vaccine types, including DNA-based and killed vaccines, is reshaping the market landscape. The African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market is expanding due to the increasing adoption of equine health protocols in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Key Findings

DRIVER: Rising incidences of African horse sickness outbreaks in non-endemic regions is driving preventive vaccination demand.

COUNTRY/REGION: South Africa accounts for over 55% of vaccine consumption due to endemic outbreaks and strong regulatory mandates.

SEGMENT: Live vaccines dominate with 72% market volume share due to strong immune response in equines.

African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market Trends

The African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market is witnessing accelerated growth due to increased global awareness and equine travel. In 2023, the World Organisation for Animal Health reported 14 new country-level notifications of AHS cases, an increase from 9 in 2021. The disease’s rising geographical spread has catalyzed a 25% rise in annual vaccine manufacturing between 2022 and 2023. Thailand alone imported over 250,000 vaccine doses following its first outbreak in 2021. A key trend is the shift towards killed vaccines due to regulatory requirements in horse-exporting countries. For example, the European Union permits entry of equines only if vaccinated with approved inactivated vaccines, leading to a 35% increase in demand for killed vaccines from equestrian centers in Spain, Italy, and Germany.

Another significant trend is the increased investment in temperature-stable formulations. Cold chain disruptions in remote African regions have led to a loss of 20–30% of vaccine potency annually, prompting manufacturers to develop thermostable vaccines. In 2024, a South African biotech company launched a lyophilized AHS vaccine stable at 35°C for over 60 days. The veterinary vaccine market is being shaped by integrated disease surveillance. Satellite-vector tracking used in Namibia and Kenya has increased forecast-based vaccine distribution efficiency by 40%, optimizing resource allocation. Also, digitized equine health records and traceability programs are being adopted in countries like Morocco and Egypt, enhancing compliance and reducing outbreak response times by up to 50%. Multilateral funding by WHO and African Union agencies to bolster vaccine capacity has grown. In 2023, a USD 20 million fund supported local vaccine production units in West Africa, expanding annual capacity to 1.2 million doses. Partnerships with veterinary universities for research and validation have further accelerated product approval timelines.

African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market Dynamics

Market dynamics refer to the underlying forces that influence the behavior, development, and structure of a market. In the African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market, dynamics include the key factors driving growth (drivers), the barriers or limitations slowing down progress (restraints), emerging possibilities that offer expansion potential (opportunities), and ongoing complications that affect operational or strategic decisions (challenges).

DRIVER

Rising demand for disease prevention in equine populations globally

The growing frequency of African horse sickness outbreaks is the primary driver for the vaccines market. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of global AHS outbreaks rose from 7 to 18 per year, leading to preventive vaccination policies in over 30 countries. In Africa, 75% of outbreaks occurred in the equine trade zones of South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia, placing enormous pressure on veterinary services. The global horse population is estimated to exceed 60 million, and over 4 million horses in Asia and Africa remain unvaccinated due to access and affordability barriers. Rising trade volumes of racehorses and competitive animals have made vaccination a prerequisite. For instance, the UAE mandates AHS vaccination for all imported equines, increasing the demand for certified vaccines.

RESTRAINT

Limited access and cold chain issues in remote regions

Distribution challenges, especially cold chain maintenance, remain a key restraint in rural and remote areas. Live vaccines must be stored between 2°C and 8°C, but in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, ambient temperatures exceed 35°C, compromising potency. In Nigeria and Tanzania, studies show that up to 30% of distributed vaccines lose effectiveness before administration due to transportation and storage failures. Furthermore, limited veterinary infrastructure affects last-mile delivery, especially in conflict-prone zones.

OPPORTUNITY

Technological innovation in recombinant and DNA-based vaccines

The advent of DNA-based and recombinant vaccines presents a major market opportunity. In 2023, research by the Onderstepoort Biological Products Institute developed a novel recombinant vaccine that reduced serotype-specific reaction risks by 60%. These vaccines offer higher safety profiles and can be rapidly customized for emergent strains. Additionally, DNA vaccines eliminate the need for cold chain logistics, reducing storage costs by up to 50%. The development of needle-free and intranasal vaccines in early trials will further improve adoption in equine populations.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory barriers and cross-border certification issues

The African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market faces significant regulatory complexity, particularly in cross-border trade. Vaccines licensed in one country often face delays of 18–24 months for approval in another. For example, Egypt and Morocco do not recognize each other’s veterinary certification systems, delaying horse exports and vaccine shipment approvals. Moreover, the limited number of WHO prequalified AHS vaccine producers restricts global procurement, making it difficult to meet urgent demand surges during outbreaks.

African Horse Sickness Vaccines Segmentation

Segmentation in the African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market involves categorizing the market based on key characteristics that influence vaccine development, distribution, and usage. The two primary segmentation criteria are vaccine type and application (animal type). This structured approach allows for a clearer understanding of usage patterns, disease risk, and demand concentrations.

By Type

Live Vaccines: Live attenuated vaccines remain the most widely used, accounting for 72% of all AHS vaccinations globally. These vaccines offer immunity lasting over 12 months with a single dose. In South Africa, more than 2.8 million doses of live vaccines were administered in 2023 alone. However, these require stringent cold chain management and cannot be used in pregnant mares or immunocompromised animals.
Killed Vaccines: Killed or inactivated vaccines are gaining traction in Europe and North America due to export regulations. Spain and France collectively imported over 450,000 doses of killed vaccines in 2023. Although more expensive and requiring multiple boosters, they present no risk of reversion or transmission, making them suitable for trade and competition animals.

By Application

Horses: Horses are the primary target group in the African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market, accounting for more than 85% of all vaccine administrations worldwide. This is because horses are highly susceptible to AHS, with mortality rates ranging between 70% and 95% in unvaccinated animals during outbreaks. In endemic regions like South Africa, over 2.5 million horses are vaccinated annually, making horses the largest segment by volume.
Mules: Mules, although more resistant to AHS than horses, are still at risk in endemic areas. They account for an estimated 7–10% of the total vaccine consumption in affected regions. In Ethiopia, around 45,000 mules were vaccinated in 2023 as part of a broader rural livestock health initiative.
Donkeys: Donkeys, known for their hardiness, still face AHS risks, particularly during vector-heavy seasons. Donkeys make up approximately 5–8% of the vaccinated equine population. In 2023, over 120,000 donkeys were vaccinated across Ethiopia, Uganda, and Nigeria through public sector and NGO-coordinated campaigns. Donkeys are vital for subsistence farming and transport in remote regions, and their loss to AHS can severely impact rural livelihoods.

Regional Outlook for the African Horse Sickness Vaccines

Regional outlook in the African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market evaluates how geographic differences—such as climate, disease prevalence, veterinary infrastructure, regulatory environments, and import-export policies—influence vaccine demand, production, and distribution across key regions. The market exhibits strong regional variation due to the highly localized nature of African horse sickness (AHS) outbreaks and country-specific vaccination strategies.

North America

North America has minimal endemic AHS risk but maintains stockpiles for emergency use. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded a vaccine reserve of 50,000 doses. Equine importers, especially in Florida and Texas, require vaccines for horses from Africa and Asia, driving indirect demand. Veterinary colleges in Kentucky and California also participate in vaccine development trials.

Europe

Europe’s demand for AHS vaccines is growing due to trade with Africa. In 2023, over 600,000 doses were distributed across Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Strict biosecurity protocols mean only inactivated vaccines are permitted, driving innovation in cold-stable formulations. EU-funded projects in France and Germany are researching multi-serotype recombinant vaccines to meet regulatory standards.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific has seen an increase in AHS outbreaks. Thailand’s 2021 outbreak led to 500+ horse deaths, triggering new vaccination mandates. By 2024, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia collectively administered over 700,000 doses. Investment in domestic production is rising, especially in India and China, which are expanding equine vaccine portfolios.

Middle East & Africa

This is the epicenter of the AHS vaccine market. South Africa alone accounts for over 55% of global vaccine usage, followed by Kenya and Botswana. Local production hubs, such as Onderstepoort Biological Products, manufacture over 1.5 million doses annually. The African Union has pledged to vaccinate 2.5 million equines annually across 17 countries by 2026.

List of Top African Horse Sickness Vaccines Companies

Onderstepoort Biological Products
Biopharma
Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute

Onderstepoort Biological Products (South Africa): Onderstepoort Biological Products is the dominant player in the African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market, responsible for over 65% of global vaccine production. In 2023, the company produced more than 1.8 million doses, primarily live attenuated vaccines targeting serotypes 1, 3, and 4. It operates under the South African Department of Agriculture and supplies vaccines to over 12 African countries, including Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. OBP is also involved in R&D for recombinant vaccines in collaboration with regional universities.

Biopharma (Ukraine): Biopharma is a leading manufacturer of inactivated AHS vaccines, particularly catering to markets in Europe and the Middle East. In 2023, Biopharma distributed over 480,000 doses, especially in Spain, Italy, and Jordan. The company focuses on producing vaccines with heat-stable and adjuvant-enhanced formulations, ideal for export and competition horses. Biopharma's vaccines are approved in over 15 countries, and it is actively expanding its footprint into Southeast Asia and North Africa.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market are gaining traction due to increasing global biosecurity concerns, government mandates, and expanding veterinary healthcare budgets. In 2023, public and private sector investments in vaccine infrastructure across Africa surpassed USD 40 million (converted value), with South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria receiving the majority share. The African Union Commission, along with WHO, allocated grants for establishing regional production units to reduce dependency on imports. These initiatives target the local production of over 3 million doses by 2026. Infrastructure expansion is a critical investment area. Over 200 new veterinary storage units were commissioned across Eastern and Southern Africa in 2023, increasing regional cold-chain capacity by 32%. Private equity funds are also entering the vaccine space. A venture capital round in Q2 2024 raised USD 10 million for a Kenyan startup developing portable solar-powered vaccine refrigerators for rural distribution. Investment in R&D is rising, particularly for recombinant and DNA-based vaccines. Research centers in Israel and South Africa are receiving up to USD 5 million per annum for projects focused on universal serotype coverage. Trials for thermostable DNA vaccines in Botswana, initiated in 2022, have shown a 93% efficacy rate, encouraging further funding and collaboration. Significant opportunity lies in public-private partnerships for emergency vaccine stockpiles. In 2023, the Pan African Veterinary Association entered into a 3-year agreement with Biopharma to maintain a reserve of 1 million doses, ensuring rapid deployment during outbreaks. Moreover, international equestrian associations are investing in certification and compliance training to standardize vaccine administration across export-focused horse farms. Distribution technologies are also drawing investment. AI-driven distribution platforms that predict outbreak hotspots based on weather and insect vector data have been launched in Uganda and Zambia. These systems have increased vaccination efficiency by 40% and minimized wastage by 25%, making them attractive investment avenues.

New Product Development

Innovation in African horse sickness vaccines is focused on improving safety, expanding serotype coverage, and enhancing storage resilience. Live attenuated vaccines, while effective, pose challenges including cold chain dependence and potential for serotype reversion. Consequently, research into inactivated and recombinant alternatives has intensified. In 2023, Onderstepoort Biological Products developed a new bivalent live vaccine targeting serotypes 2 and 7, not previously included in polyvalent formulations. This vaccine, currently under regulatory review, was field-tested across 15 equine farms in South Africa and reported 95% immunogenicity within 21 days. It is projected to fill a critical gap in protecting animals in endemic zones with these emerging serotypes. Biopharma announced a new killed vaccine in 2024 that incorporates adjuvants enhancing immune response duration to 12 months—double that of earlier inactivated vaccines. The formulation is also free from animal-derived components, meeting stricter halal and kosher compliance criteria, enabling expansion into Islamic and Jewish-majority markets. A standout development is the launch of DNA-based vaccines. In collaboration with Israel’s Institute for Animal Health, a prototype vaccine underwent phase 2 trials in 2023 in Namibia. It demonstrated seroconversion in 91% of vaccinated horses without any observable adverse reactions. The vaccine does not require cold storage, remaining stable for 6 months at ambient temperatures of up to 38°C.

Five Recent Developments

2023 – Onderstepoort Biological Products launched a bivalent live vaccine covering AHS serotypes 2 and 7, with 95% immunogenicity in field trials across 12 districts in South Africa.
2023 – Biopharma introduced a killed vaccine with extended 12-month efficacy, registering over 480,000 doses distributed across Europe and Middle East within 6 months.
2024 – DNA-based AHS vaccine developed in Israel showed 91% success rate in Phase 2 trials conducted across 8 horse farms in Namibia.
2024 – South African biotech startup unveiled a thermostable AHS vaccine stable up to 35°C for 60 days, reducing wastage in rural supply chains by 25%.
2024 – RFID-based smart vaccine vials launched in Ghana, piloted across 30 veterinary clinics, improving cold chain monitoring and reducing potency loss by 30%.

Report Coverage of African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market

This report on the African Horse Sickness Vaccines Market provides a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the global and regional landscapes, segmented by type, application, and geography. The report spans a detailed overview of market trends, vaccine innovation pipelines, and changing dynamics due to rising outbreaks and increased trade in equine species. It examines over 25 countries where AHS has been reported in the last five years, with a specific focus on high-burden zones in Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. The analysis includes over 15 government vaccination mandates implemented between 2020 and 2024, examining their impact on procurement volumes and vaccination coverage. The segmentation section dissects vaccine types, including live attenuated and killed formulations, offering a 360-degree view on usage patterns. The live vaccine segment, accounting for over 70% of the market share, is critically analyzed in terms of production volume, distribution models, and efficacy. Similarly, the inactivated vaccine segment is discussed in the context of export compliance and safety. Application-wise, the report covers detailed insights on vaccine use across horses, mules, and donkeys, providing species-specific risks and vaccination outcomes. Regional analysis spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa, evaluating local disease incidence, vaccine availability, regulatory frameworks, and public health infrastructure. The report further outlines the competitive landscape by profiling key players like Onderstepoort Biological Products and Biopharma. These profiles provide insight into production capabilities, product innovations, distribution reach, and investment strategies. Coverage includes ongoing R&D partnerships, licensing deals, and collaborations with veterinary bodies and NGOs. Strategic investment and new product opportunities are highlighted in dedicated sections, including assessments of vaccine innovation pipelines, patent filings, and clinical trial outcomes. The report emphasizes areas such as recombinant vaccine platforms, thermostability solutions, intranasal delivery systems, and digital tracking. Finally, the report identifies key challenges and opportunities shaping the market. These include cold chain barriers, cross-border certification hurdles, rising research funding, and government-led equine health programs. The holistic coverage equips stakeholders with actionable intelligence to formulate investment, expansion, and compliance strategies.