Malaysia Statement - Ensuring the Filling of the 80% Halal Food Supply Gap

Kuala Lumpur news reports that the World Halal Summit concluded in early April 2014. The meeting fully demonstrated the determination to further develop the Halal industry and will fill the 80% Halal food supply gap.

Thought leaders and business representatives attended the meeting, confirmed the scope of food safety issues, and pledged a unified and comprehensive assessment of the issues. They unanimously agreed to strive to solve and address these issues and ensure the sustained and stable development of the Halal industry.

During the two-day meeting, the shortages, deficiencies and loopholes in the Halal food supply chain were pointed out.

'The main factors causing these problems are the lack of Halal food delivery and the lack of food projects to cope with the growing global Halal market,' said Datuk Seri Jamil Bidin, CEO of the Halal Industry Development Corporation.

'In this regard, many countries will be affected by food shortages, especially third-party countries with large Muslim populations,' he said.

Jamil also pointed out that in the coming years, an alarming phenomenon will occur, with a 70%-100% growth in food demand. He added that there will be an imbalance between agricultural product supply and global demand, with supply falling short. He said that not only Muslim countries will be affected by the decline in Halal food supply, but non-Muslim countries will be affected too.

He added that the global Halal market has 1.8 billion Muslims, but very few countries produce Halal food and export trade, with only 20% of food production.