Algeria Lifts Halal Certification Mandate for Imported Milk Powders

In a recent development, the Algerian government has lifted the requirement for Halal certification for imported milk powders, according to an official statement. This move comes after weeks of uncertainty and lobbying by major European Union (EU) and Algerian companies against the legislation.

The requirement initially announced on June 14th, mandated that all dairy imports must possess a Halal certification issued or endorsed by the Grande Mosque de Paris or a certification agency approved by the same. Interestingly, this requirement applied only to EU market players, with counterparts in New Zealand and South America exempt from the rule.

The decision to waive the Halal certification for milk powders has brought relief to the dairy trade, which had been grappling with potential disruptions. However, the certification requirement remains in place for other dairy commodities, including whey powders and cheeses.

Market insiders are interpreting the lifting of the certification requirement for milk powders as a precursor to the publication of a milk powder tender in the coming days. “We believe that the tender was on hold due to the certification issues; this pushed several EU players to the point where they were not willing to offer. However, the tenders need to compete to achieve the best price for the buyers. We think it is only a matter of time until we see some movement,” commented one source.

Mintec, a leading provider of commodity price data, will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates in the coming weeks. This development underscores the dynamic nature of international trade regulations and their potential impact on market dynamics.