Over the past two years, plant-based food consumption has grown by 49% across the EU, reaching a total sales volume of €3.6 billion.
Türkiye aspires to become a major player in the halal sector
2025-05-15
ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkey can become a major player in the global halal products market if the country adjusts its food legislation, a leading figure in a local business association said.
Representatives from 44 countries attended the two-day meeting
Meeting Highlights:
"We believe that when legislative issues – and issues in the halal food industry – are resolved, our country will become one of the major players in the global halal market," said Hasan Ali Cesur, president of the Anatolian Businessmen's Association (ASKON), at the 9th Halal and Tayeb Products Conference in Istanbul. "The Turkish halal food market is currently worth $6 billion annually and has the potential to rise to $15 billion to $20 billion within a decade, catching up with Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, the global leaders in the halal food market."
"Halal production should be seen as a responsibility, not a commercial issue, because eating clean food is our duty to God," Ali Saleh al-Omair, former Kuwaiti oil minister, said at the conference. He said there is a lack of consensus among Muslims on halal food production, so the conference is important in this regard.
Through such conferences, participants can introduce halal food work to Muslims around the world, said Huseyin Kami Buyukozer, head of the Halal trade group, the Institute for Inspection and Certification of Food and Supplies (GIMDES). He stressed that the purpose of the conferences is not just to make money.
Halal products can be used in a variety of sectors, from food to cosmetics to cleaning products, said Gunay Kaya, head of the Agriculture and Forestry Civil Servants Association union.
“Our sensitivity to halal and non-halal” — meaning what is permitted and what is forbidden — “is not just a Turkish problem, or an Arab problem, or a problem for one country, but a problem for the entire Muslim world. Because we are one community,” said Chief Thafier Najjaar, head of the South African committee.
According to a report by Dr. Hani Al-Mazeedi from the Kuwait Institute, a halal diet can be achieved through strict dietary practices. "Halal products can be produced as substitutes for non-halal products. Muslim consumers should not fully trust official auditing agencies' understanding of halal. They should trust themselves." "Muslim scholars should express their opinions on halal and non-halal issues. Certification agencies should not only focus on quality management system requirements but also on laws," he added.
Türkiye proposes halal legislation
On October 11, the Turkish government submitted a bill to parliament to establish a halal certification body.
Under the bill, the agency will have sole authority to certify halal products in Türkiye. It will also be able to establish offices abroad. It will also authorize Turkish and foreign agencies to grant halal certificates of conformity.
Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci also highlighted Turkey's opportunities in the international halal market last week. "There is a halal market in the world, and it's up to us to join it. There are also institutions that will define the standards for halal products and issue halal certificates," he said, adding that halal rules cover not only food, but also cosmetics, textiles, finance, supply chains, and insurance.
Halal certification bodies enforce Halal standards within their countries and regions according to Halal regulations. They also aim to protect the growing number of Halal consumers and facilitate international trade.
Global trade in halal products and services is worth approximately US$3.9 trillion.