Malaysia’s Halal Exports Reach US$7 Billion in First Half of 2025

Malaysia’s halal industry achieved a significant milestone in the first half of 2025, recording exports worth US$7 billion (RM29.31 billion). This represents about 16.1 percent of the nation’s total exports and demonstrates the sector’s strength in supporting Malaysia’s economy while strengthening its role as a global halal hub.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the figures, highlighting the diverse product mix, international demand, and government strategies that collectively contributed to this achievement. The performance reflects Malaysia’s commitment to advancing the halal industry under the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030).

Expanding Product Range and Strong Markets

The growth in exports was driven by multiple categories of halal goods, including food and beverages, halal-certified ingredients, and palm oil derivatives. These sectors continue to dominate global demand, supported by Malaysia’s reputation for stringent certification and trusted standards.

Key export destinations during the first half of the year included:

• China

• Singapore

• United States

• Japan

• Indonesia

These markets illustrate how Malaysia has successfully diversified its halal exports, reaching both traditional partners in Asia and new demand centers in North America and beyond.

Role of Halal-Certified Companies

Over 10,000 Malaysian companies currently hold halal certification, giving them access to global buyers who prioritize reliability, authenticity, and traceability in halal products. Many of these companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are actively scaling up their operations with government support.

SMEs have benefited from incentives such as training, export facilitation programs, and greater access to halal industrial parks. These initiatives are ensuring that smaller firms can compete on the global stage, while also making Malaysia’s halal ecosystem more inclusive and resilient.

Strategic Enablers Driving Growth

The strong performance of halal exports in 2025 is no coincidence. Several enablers are helping accelerate Malaysia’s growth:

• Ongoing digitalisation of the halal certification process, which reduces approval times and improves transparency.

• Investment in logistics integration to ensure supply chain efficiency and faster delivery of halal-certified goods.

• Expansion of halal industrial parks, offering companies specialized facilities and clustering benefits.

• A national focus on sustainability and innovation to align halal products with evolving global consumer preferences.

These enablers reflect the government’s focus on ensuring that halal products are not only compliant with Islamic principles but also competitive in terms of quality, technology, and sustainability.

Economic Impact and Global Standing

The halal industry has become a central pillar of Malaysia’s economic strategy, contributing billions to export earnings while creating jobs and business opportunities across the country. By reaching US$7 billion in exports within just six months, Malaysia has shown that its halal industry can weather global uncertainties and continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

This performance is also a step toward achieving the goals outlined in HIMP 2030, which envisions Malaysia as a globally recognized leader in halal innovation, certification, and exports. The plan emphasizes not just economic returns but also the importance of sustainable practices, technological advancement, and human capital development.

What Lies Ahead

Looking forward, Malaysia will need to maintain its momentum to achieve full-year export targets that surpass previous records. Several areas will be crucial:

• Scaling up SMEs so they can serve larger markets while maintaining certification integrity.

• Harmonising halal standards internationally to make cross-border trade smoother and reduce regulatory duplication.

• Meeting sustainability benchmarks demanded by global consumers, including reducing carbon footprints and adopting ethical practices in halal supply chains.

• Expanding into emerging markets beyond traditional partners, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and South America, where halal demand is rising rapidly.

Malaysia’s halal export achievement of US$7 billion in the first half of 2025 is more than a trade statistic; it is proof of the country’s resilience, strategic planning, and commitment to halal excellence. With strong certification systems, diverse product offerings, and an expanding global footprint, Malaysia is not only safeguarding its position as a trusted halal leader but also shaping the future of the global halal economy.