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.
Pakistan has huge potential to promote the export of halal products
2025-05-15
Pakistan is promotingHalal products have enormous export potential. This was highlighted during a recent multi-sector stakeholder dialogue on "Export-Oriented Halal Trade and Industry" held in Islamabad. The focus was on government-private sector collaboration to leverage this untapped potential to boost exports and strengthen the economy. Currently, Pakistan's share of this potential is negligible. The government is urged to formulate policies favorable to the halal industry, aiming to reach $5-6 billion in exports within a few years. This was stated during a multi-sector stakeholder dialogue on "Incentivizing Transformations for Export-Oriented Halal Trade and Industry," organized by Global Halal Services (Pvt.) Ltd.
worldwideRana Awais Khan, CEO of Halal Services, stated that strict adherence to halal standards, quality certification, and government support will help boost halal product exports. He stated that halal meat is one of the fastest-growing markets globally, contributing 16% to world trade, and that Pakistan, as a Muslim nation, should capitalize on this opportunity. He emphasized that halal meat exports should specifically target China, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Central Asian countries, rather than confining them to Arab countries. He urged the government to mobilize all agencies dedicated to promoting halal food exports to fully realize the industry's export potential. He emphasized that the government should designate special halal meat zones and provide them with 10-year tax incentives to attract new investment in the sector.
The guest of honor said Pakistan has the potential to become a global power as it has all the required raw materials.He stated that Pakistan has significant economic potential to leverage its status as a Muslim nation to market its halal products globally with greater credibility. He added that in addition to beef, Pakistan should also leverage seafood, ostrich, mutton, and poultry farming to increase its export revenue. This would not only diversify our economy but also increase the country's overall food security.
Ambassador of the Republic of IndonesiaAhsan Zafar Bakhtawri, President of ICCI, Akhter Bughio, Director General, Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President and other speakers also highlighted the export potential of the halal industry and stressed that the government should collaborate with the private sector to promote exports from this sector.
Currently, Pakistan accounts for onlyHalal food accounts for 0.26% of trade, despite no Muslim country making the top five. Working with the private sector, Pakistan can capture a greater share of the $3.2 trillion halal industry. Therefore, Pakistan's business sector must take timely, comprehensive, and practical steps to increase the production of its commercial goods to compete globally. Furthermore, Pakistan can enhance the global presence of its halal industry by developing policies, implementing halal certification, and providing halal storage facilities to local businesses. Furthermore, the latest technology, innovation, and research and development can play a role in promoting halal product exports.
This dialogue aims to bring together the world's leadingHalal regulators, federal ministers and secretaries, trade associations, policy makers and advisors, consuls general, INGOs, halal certified brands, political leaders, scientists, researchers, certification bodies and business stakeholders to network and share their experiences competing in the global halal market.
Conclusions and recommendations, concrete suggestions and experiences drawn from the thought-provoking talks will be shared by knowledgeable delegates and participants, documented and distributed to policymakers, legislators, academia, industry and business, and relevant national and international organizations for implementation and implementation.