For an export most have probably never heard of - and some would rather forget exists - the pizzle has notched up impressive growth since the mid-2000s, even surviving COVID-19.
While New Zealand s pizzle market didn t quite sizzle during the pandemic-hit year of 2020, nor did it fizzle, instead dipping from $5.2 million earned during 2019 to $4.4m.
Lost yet? Pizzles are the penis of male deer and are used in traditional Chinese medicine as a sexual vigour enhancer. They can be exported fresh, frozen, dried, smoked or preserved in brine.
Unlike cattle pizzles, which are sold as dog treats, deer pizzles are highly sought after and are often exported with some of the pelvic bone attached so buyers know they re getting the real thing and not an imposter pizzle from a dog, or a seal.
Germany
Australia
Taiwan
United-states
New-zealand
Hong-kong
China
Finland
Canada
Chinese
Rhys-griffiths
Getty-images