how to be a halal market global pioneer
In a world where consumer expectations are rising fast, simply having halal certification at home is not enough. Global consumers demand authenticity, traceability, and recognized standards. To be a true pioneer in the global halal market, businesses must go beyond local compliance and aim for international leadership.
Why Local Certification Often Falls Short Many companies believe that local halal certification seals the deal. The truth is local certification is only the foundation. Each country may have distinct standards for what qualifies as halal, especially in terms of slaughtering, hygiene, ingredient sourcing, packaging, and cross-contamination. A certificate valid in one market may be rejected in another unless recognized by their certification authorities. Halal is more than a label, it is trust built through rigorous systems and global alignment. Data-Backed Market Trends You Can’t Ignore To understand the opportunity and the stakes, these latest figures are vital:- The global halal food market was valued at about USD 2.18 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.18 trillion in 2025. It may soar to USD 8.02 trillion by 2033, with a CAGR around 12.25%. - Another forecast indicates the halal food market could reach USD 9.45 trillion by 2034, growing at around 12.42% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. - The halal meat sector alone was about USD 702.9 billion in 2021, expected to grow to USD 942.2 billion by 2025. - The halal ingredient market is also growing, estimated at USD 3.4 billion in 2025, rising to USD 4.7 billion by 2035. Food processing is a main end-use driver.
These numbers show strong demand, especially in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and increasing interest in halal-certified lifestyle, cosmetics, and ingredient markets.
The Real Challenges On the Ground Becoming globally recognized is not just about meeting standards. It is also about navigating complexity. Here are some hurdles many businesses face:- Recognition of foreign certifying bodies: For example, JAKIM in Malaysia is often asked to audit international halal certification bodies before recognizing them. - Documentation and traceability gaps: Many SMEs struggle with full audit trails, consistent records, or advanced systems for tracking every stage of their supply chain. - Lack of standardization in bilateral acceptance: A certificate from one country may not automatically be accepted in another without cross-validation or equivalence. - Capacity and knowledge constraints: Some halal certification authorities have flagged issues such as lack of skilled auditors, insufficient manpower, or unclear guidelines.
Strategic Steps to Become a Global Pioneer Building on earlier insights, here are more robust strategies, combining data and real-world prerequisites:1. Certification Validation and International Recognition - Seek certifications from agencies recognized by target export markets. - Participate in forums like HCBC (Halal Certification Bodies Convention) to learn about recognition requirements.
2. Robust and Transparent Value Chain - Use advanced traceability technology such as blockchain and AI for ingredient and production records to meet both religious and global quality demands. - Ensure every link from raw material suppliers, packaging, logistics, and financing meets halal standards and is documented.
3. Comprehensive and Always Updated Documentation - Maintain halal certificates, Certificates of Analysis, MSDS, production records, and audit trails. - Monitor regulatory changes in target markets to keep documents compliant.
4. Investment in SME Capacity and Skills - Train staff on halal audit processes, knowledge of varying standards, and export compliance. - Allocate resources for upgrading systems, including digital tools.
5. Innovation and Marketing as Differentiators - Use halal attributes as a value proposition beyond compliance such as ethical supply, quality assurance, health, and clean label. - Engage consumers globally with trustworthy branding that emphasizes certified logos, transparency, and storytelling.
A Story That Illustrates the Risk of Only Local Focus Consider Brand X from Indonesia. They obtained the national halal certificate and marketed heavily at home. When trying to export to the Middle East, their certificate was rejected because of missing documentation for slaughtering process and ingredient sourcing. They had to re-audit under new standards, invest in traceability software, and repackage products. During this time, a competitor who invested early in cross-recognized certification had already secured distribution. Going Beyond Minimum: Leadership in Halal Economy The minimum steps get you into the game. But pioneering requires more. Do not settle for compliance alone, aim to create the standard others follow. This means maintaining consistency, embracing innovation, and preparing operations to meet global expectations. Halal Expo Indonesia: More than a Fair, It Is a Launchpad Events like @HalalExpoIndonesia are critical. They allow you to:- Benchmark your compliance and practices against international players - Connect with certifiers to understand recognition criteria firsthand - Learn about technology, supply chain innovations, and marketing trends in the global halal industry
Together, let us position Indonesia not just as a major halal market user but as a global halal standard setter._Image source: freepik.com_
Sources: - HalalCE – [https://halalce.com](https://halalce.com) - Market Data Forecast – [https://www.marketdataforecast.com](https://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/halal-food-market) - Precedence Research – [https://www.precedenceresearch.com](https://www.precedenceresearch.com/halal-food-market) - Cognitive Market Research – [https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com](https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com/halal-meat-market-report) - Future Market Insights – [https://www.futuremarketinsights.com](https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/halal-ingredients-market) - Bernama – [https://www.bernama.com](https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php/world/general/news.php?id=2468010) - My Food Research – [https://www.myfoodresearch.com](https://www.myfoodresearch.com/uploads/8/4/8/5/84855864/_22__fr-2019-s17.r2_muhammad_3.pdf) - arXiv – [https://arxiv.org](https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.07305) - Halal Expo Indonesia – [https://halalexpoindonesia.com](https://halalexpoindonesia.com)