Issue 57

With annual worldwide business worth approximately US$1 trillion, halal food and related businesses are growing at a remarkable speed.

The halal food business is expanding rapidly worldwide. According to a report published by the World Halal Forum, global revenue from halal food and beverages was approximately US$1.4 trillion in 2015 and is expected to reach US$ 2.47 trillion by 2018.

Held from July 29 to 31, the Thai-Muslim Trade Association (TMTA), Central World and the embassies of over 10 Islamic nations in Thailand jointly organised the World Halal Fest by TMTA with the aim to increase exposure for the halal product market.

“The halal business is international, especially halal food, which is not only food products prepared and processed in accordance with the requirements of Islam, but it is also nutritious, wholesome and good for everyone. So you first have to change the perception that halal food is only for Muslims,” said Surin Pitsuwan, former secretary-general of ASEAN, delivering the event’s opening speech and emphasising the importance of halal food for both the Muslim community and the world.

“Halal food businesses are worth US$175 billion in Central and South Asia, US$93 billion in Southeast Asia, US$5 billion in China, US$63 billion in Europe, and US$14 billion in North America,” Pitsuwan added. “In the US, there are 86,000 products which are kosher according to the Jewish community. However, the Jewish community consumes only 15% of that, while 16% [of kosher products] are consumed by Muslims in North America. That is very interesting and very telling.”

To fill the gap in the world market, Thai halal food producers are now aware of the halal certification needed to increase exports of halal food from Thailand.

“The halal sign for all products from Thailand must be credible, recognised and accepted not only by Muslim consumers, but also considered nutritious and healthy by the Thai people, the Southeast Asian region and the world,” Pitsuwan said.

Currently, the Thai government places great importance on the development of the halal food industry. For instance, Chulalongkorn University has a Halal Science Center with laboratories for halal food innovation and certification.

“Moreover, halal businesses can help with tourism, especially in wellness and medical tourism,” says Pitsuwan. “Thai companies are also seeking partners in Singapore and Malaysia to facilitate the exportation of halal products, as Thailand is a leader in quality halal food production.”

Organisers of the event are confident of the tradeshow’s success and the potential of halal companies.

“One of the main missions of the Thai-Muslim Trade Association is to promote and encourage Muslim businesspeople in Thailand to raise [the quality of] their products and services to be competitive on an international level,” says Adul Wongsangiam, president of the TMTA. “We believe that this fair is a very important first step in opening more opportunities for our members and Halal businesses in Thailand as a whole.”

For more information, visit www.thaimuslimtrade.com

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub