Russia Plans to Expand Halal Exports to North Africa

Russia is set to significantly expand its halal exports, targeting North African countries in a bid to capitalize on the growing global demand for halal products. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Maxim Uvaidov, emphasized Russia’s commitment to being a reliable supplier of halal products worldwide, highlighting the country’s recent strides in the industry.

Halal Market Growth

In 2022, the global halal market was valued at an impressive $2 trillion, with projections suggesting an annual growth rate of 7-10% in Muslim-majority countries by 2050. This surge is largely driven by increasing consumer spending, particularly on food products. Russia, currently one of the top five non-Muslim exporters to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, has doubled its halal exports over the past three years.

Rising Exports and Future Prospects

In 2021, Russia exported $180 million worth of halal products to the Persian Gulf states, a figure that increased by 24% in 2022. While poultry products and by-products currently constitute 90% of these exports, Uvaidov expressed optimism about diversifying Russia’s halal offerings to include other products. “We plan to expand the geography of our exports to North Africa, and negotiations are already underway. We hope to see results this year,” he added.

Standardization and Certification

For the halal industry to thrive, Uvaidov underscored the need for uniform standards. In 2022, Russia developed two national halal standards and transferred 17 more to the federal fund, which is crucial for export certification. The country has also made strides in establishing a robust certification framework, with the Halal Consulting, Monitoring, and Certification Centre at Roskachestvo gaining recognition.

However, the industry faces challenges in certification, as Russian halal certifiers need recognition in key export markets. Efforts are ongoing to ensure Russian halal certificates are accepted in major importing countries, a critical step for expanding exports.

Regional Support and International Collaboration

Additional measures to support halal producers at the regional level have been introduced in regions such as the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug and Bashkortostan, with plans to extend similar support to Tatarstan. Uvaidov stressed the importance of gaining the trust of Muslim consumers, highlighting the role of quality and compliance with Islamic standards.

Moteb Al-Mezani, CEO of the GCC Accreditation Centre, emphasized the need for trusted certification based on Sharia norms. He pointed out that halal is more than a label; it signifies good production practices and quality assurance.

Halal Industry Insights

Maxim Protasov, head of the Russian Quality System ANO, noted that halal products account for 35% of the global market. He discussed the importance of learning from international experiences, such as Malaysia’s halal hubs, which facilitate knowledge exchange and industry development. Russia aims to become a major player in the global halal market, with Protasov highlighting that Russian halal certificates are now recognized in countries like Oman and Qatar, and efforts are underway to gain acceptance in Indonesia, Algeria, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Iran.

The Path Forward

The discussion also touched on the unification of global halal standards. Yousif Salem Alharbi, director of the Halal Center of The Saudi Food and Drug Authority, called for cooperation to ensure manufacturers comply with uniform halal criteria worldwide. Dr. Hussein Samh Al Masroori, director general of the Food Safety and Quality Center in Oman, stressed that halal products represent a way of life and a respect for consumer rights, which are essential for business success.

Expanding to New Markets

Dmitry Krasnov, head of the Agroexport Federal Centre, highlighted the significant potential of the MENA region, where 460 million people, 95% of whom are Muslim, represent a substantial market for halal products. He noted that Russia’s halal exports have increased by 40% over the past five years, with significant growth in poultry, beef, and lamb exports. Krasnov projected that by 2030, the volume of halal exports to the Persian Gulf and Egypt could exceed $700 million.

Russia’s expansion into the halal market is not just an economic strategy but a commitment to meeting the growing global demand for halal products. With continuous efforts in standardization, certification, and international collaboration, Russia aims to solidify its position as a key player in the global halal industry.