Introduction to France's Halal Market

France is the country with the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, with about 5.5 million Muslims, more than 8% of its total population of 66 million. France's Muslims come from North Africa (43.2% from Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco (27.5% to 11.4%)), sub-Saharan Africa (9.3%) and Turkey (8.6%).

In France, the Halal market is worth 5.5 billion euros, of which 4.5 billion euros is the Halal food sector.

Although the country's retail sales of Halal products were 80 million euros in 2009, this figure more than tripled in 2013 to 170 million euros, and reached 280 million euros in 2019. However, this growth trend in the Halal retail market is declining. This market grew 20% in 2017, but only 5% in 2019. Muslim consumers account for 75% of the customers who prefer Halal products, equivalent to 0.3% of total retail sales.

It is estimated that the share of Halal products in total food imports is about 30%. Meat and meat-product exporting countries include Ireland, the UK, Germany and Belgium. Dry-goods exporting countries include Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.

According to a study by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP), 59% of the Muslim population systematically eats 'Halal-certified meat,' and 28% of the Muslim population eats Halal meat as much as possible. Of consumers who frequently eat Halal meat (equivalent to 87% of total participants), 86% claim they have a Halal sensitivity to delicatessen food, 43% to bouillon cubes, 29% to ketchup, 22% to soup, 24% to cooked food, and 8% to baby fruit purees. 14% of the country's cattle slaughter and 22% of its sheep slaughter meet Halal and Jewish Kosher certification standards.

Halal certification activities

France has no mandatory legislation on Halal certification. Halal certificates are issued by about 50 organizations, including those in Paris, Lyon and Evry. The certificates can be used for both the domestic market and the export market. Even without regulations on Halal documentary certification of imported products, exporting-country organizations can sign special agreements with Paris, Lyon or Evry. Paris, Evry and Lyon independently provide certification according to different standards.

The French Standards Association (Association Française de Normalisation - AFNOR) issued a non-mandatory standard for Halal reaction and production-process certification on 15 September 2017. The standard provided by AFNOR is in the monitoring process. At the end of 3 years, the status of the standard will be reconsidered.

On the other hand, AFNOR's participation in this process by proposing a standard is voluntary.