Industry News

Demand for halal meat and products is increasing in Canada, driven by a growing Muslim population and a growing public awareness of the high quality of these products. Many mainstream companies are seeing this opportunity and are considering how to cater to halal consumers.

One such company is Réisseries St-Hubert Ltd. A Quebec icon and the province's largest homegrown restaurant chain, it's known for its affordable traditional roast chicken and ribs. According to media reports, its owners and management are considering whether to add halal options to their menu.

St-Hubert estimates annual restaurant sales of $420 million, and it has plans to open restaurants in other provinces. Considering the demographics, adding a halal-certified option makes sense.

The Muslim population currently stands at 940,000. A report released earlier by the Pew Forum on Religion and Life in Washington, D.C., predicts that Canada's Muslim population is expected to more than triple over the next 20 years. They project that by 2030, there will be 2.7 million Muslims, or 6.6% of the total population.

Some businesses fear a negative reaction from some segments of society when introducing halal dining. However, this reaction is often due to a lack of understanding of Islamic beliefs and values. Once people understand the hygienic aspects of halal products, many are more willing to choose them than others.

Furthermore, halal food businesses save and create jobs. Many slaughterhouses and related businesses in the United States, facing closure, have been saved by converting to halal operations. The European Halal Food Park in Norfolk, UK, is expected to create 500 new jobs.

There are huge business opportunities in the Halal food market. Many Muslim countries need to import large quantities of meat, poultry, dairy products and other foods from Europe, Australia, the United States, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and other countries.