Industry News

Halal food has become a global trend, and not just for religious reasons – it is seen as a cultural symbol and is linked to a healthy lifestyle and animal welfare. Like elsewhere in the world, supermarkets and grocery stores in France offer a wide variety of halal foods, including local specialties.

With the rise of Muslim economies, halal food consumption is rapidly increasing globally. According to a recent market survey, the halal food industry currently holds a 16% market share, with Asia, Africa, and Europe accounting for 63%, 24%, and 10%, respectively. The Muslim population—currently comprising approximately a quarter of the world's population—is steadily growing, and the Muslim middle class is becoming increasingly affluent. Therefore, the halal food industry holds enormous potential for growth.

Shepherd's pie is also Halal

Some non-Muslim countries and multinational food manufacturers have recognized the importance of halal food and are adding a host of new products to store shelves and restaurants, now offering a wide variety of halal foods, from halal hot dogs and burgers to shepherd's pie and sushi.

In Japan, halal food culture has developed into a popular niche market. Last year, the Japan Halal Food Association certified a Nagano-based company producing the world's first halal miso paste, a common ingredient in traditional Japanese cuisine. Furthermore, the University of Tokyo recently launched a menu featuring halal-certified items such as katsuobushi soba, a popular Japanese summer dish, teriyaki udon, and spicy lamb or chicken noodles. Hind Hitomi Remon, president of the Japan Halal Association, said: "These halal certifications have made Japanese cuisine popular in Muslim countries and encouraged other Japanese producers to explore the possibilities of the halal industry."

Thailand, arguably one of the most popular countries in the world for its culinary culture, has also begun the Halal trend. There are a large number of Halal restaurants in Bangkok and most tourist destinations in Thailand. The industry has become so popular that it has become the country's most important industry. The Halal Food Expo held in May of this year attracted more than 300 representatives from global Halal industry-related organizations to participate in various seminars focusing on product innovation. Halal food currently accounts for 20% of Thailand's total global food exports, but this supply is not enough to meet the needs of the growing Muslim population, said a Halal expert from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.Associate Professor Winai Dahlan, director of the Scientific Research Centre, told GN Focus: "The industry also needs new products to further expand its coverage.

There is also Halal foie gras

Western countries with large Muslim populations are also tapping into this market. In the UK, halal meat and sausages can be found in major supermarket chains like Tesco, while others offer halal baby food or halal organic foods. Some British fast-food chicken chains only serve halal chicken.

In France, Europe's most populous Muslim country, supermarkets and grocery stores also offer a wide variety of halal foods, including French specialties such as foie gras. In Germany, the number of businesses producing only halal foods is steadily growing, with sausages, bratwurst, and other popular sausages produced to strict halal standards.

According to a survey by the Federal Association of German Retail Food, the halal food industry's revenue has surpassed the organic food market and has become "an important economic pillar."

Multinational food manufacturers also have some halal products on the market, but their problem is that there is no unified global halal food standard, which makes it difficult to sell the same halal products around the world.

“It is estimated that there are currently around 122 active halal certification bodies around the world, including local government departments that are already responsible for halal certification,” said Dr. Evangelia Komitopoulou, global food certification manager at SGS, a Switzerland-based certification company. “Each country is trying to establish itself as a global halal certification body based on its own national and regional interests.”

In 2012, the OIC tasked the UAE with developing a unified standard applicable to all 57 Muslim countries within three years to unify global halal food standards. If such a standard is successfully developed, it would undoubtedly provide another powerful boost to the global halal food industry.