In most Muslim countries, imported products are mandatorily required to have halal certification. In countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, products need the necessary documentation proving they are Halal before they can clear customs. Meanwhile, a considerable number of Muslims live as minorities in non-Muslim countries such as the US and Canada, and some buyers also require enterprises to provide halal certificates so that local consumer groups can eat halal products. Halal beef is one of the fastest-growing US beef export products. Halal-certified products are exported to most markets in the Middle East, as well as Indonesia and Malaysia. Halal-certified beef is also becoming more popular in some places - not because imports require Halal certification, but because of customer preference.

Halal Beef Is Popular in Asia

Sabrina Yin, a director at the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) responsible for the ASEAN region of Southeast Asia, covers USMEF's overseas Indonesian and Malaysian markets, where Halal certification is strictly required. In an audio report, she discussed how the demand for Halal beef is not because of import requirements. For example, in Singapore the Muslim population keeps growing and attracts many tourists from the Middle East, and in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. Even in the Philippines, where most of the national population is Catholic, the southwestern part of the country still has high demand for halal beef.

Halal beef products are also gaining popularity in China. Joel Haggard, senior vice president (USMEF Asia-Pacific region), believes that the business of Halal beef products in China is growing steadily.

Statistics from the China Islamic Association show that the global trading volume of Halal food and goods is no less than US$2.1 trillion and grows by no less than 20% each year. China's Halal business also grows by 10% annually, with an annual Halal food trading volume of US$2.1 billion. China's Halal market is drawing attention. Among China's major ethnic minorities, 10 are Muslim, totaling about 200 million people. The Hui people are China's largest ethnic minority. China has won the attention of Thailand.

FAQ

What are the characteristics of Asia's demand for Halal beef?
In Muslim countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, imported products are mandatorily required to have halal certification before they can clear customs. Halal beef is one of the fastest-growing US beef export products. Notably, high demand in some regions is not due to import requirements but customer preference - such as Singapore (growing Muslim population, attracting Middle Eastern tourists), southern Thailand, and even the southwestern Philippines where Catholics are the majority, all of which have high demand for halal beef.
How large is China's Halal market?
According to the China Islamic Association, the global trading volume of Halal food and goods is no less than US$2.1 trillion, growing by no less than 20% each year; China's Halal business grows by about 10% annually, with an annual Halal food trading volume of US$2.1 billion. Among China's major ethnic minorities, 10 are Muslim, totaling about 200 million people (the Hui are China's largest ethnic minority).