MIHAS Awards 2026 Sets New Benchmark for Global Halal Excellence

Malaysia’s largest trade showcase reflects shifting priorities away from traditional product quality toward digital transformation

KUALA LUMPUR — The Malaysia International Halal Showcase awarded prizes Friday to 13 companies, signaling a significant shift in how the global halal industry measures success. Rather than focusing primarily on product excellence, organizers have begun rewarding businesses that embrace artificial intelligence, sustainability practices and digital-first operations.

The awards, now in their second decade, represent one of the clearest indicators yet that the halal sector—a market estimated at more than $2 trillion globally—is undergoing rapid modernization. The showcase, hosted by the Malaysian government, now covers 14 sectors, from food and pharmaceuticals to Islamic finance and “modest fashion,” a term the industry uses to describe clothing that adheres to Islamic modesty standards.

This year’s edition introduced the Women in Export Awards, a category intended to recognize female-led businesses at a time when women remain underrepresented in international trade, particularly across Southeast Asia.

“The halal economy is no longer only about tradition and religious compliance,” said Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof, chief executive of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, which organized the showcase. “It is increasingly about how companies adopt technology and build sustainable practices.”

The shift reflects market realities. As major multinational corporations—including Nestlé, which won in the innovation category—expand their halal-certified product lines, smaller regional producers face intensifying pressure to compete on more than cost and compliance alone. The showcase has become a crucial venue for Malaysian businesses seeking to establish themselves as exporters in increasingly competitive global markets.

Still, the awards’ expanded criteria raise questions about whether traditional halal certifications remain sufficient in a market where consumers and buyers increasingly demand environmental and social accountability alongside religious certification.