Thailand to Expand Its Global Halal Market Share

The Thai government has recently approved the formation of the Thailand Halal Taskforce, a strategic move aimed at capitalizing on the booming global halal food market, which is valued at approximately US$30 trillion (around 960 trillion baht). This initiative is part of Thailand’s broader Halal Blueprint, designed to enhance the country’s position in the halal industry and foster international trade and investment.

Objectives of the Thailand Halal Taskforce

According to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the newly established task force is a collaborative effort involving key government agencies and private sector organizations. The primary goals are to expand trade cooperation and bolster investment in halal industries. This task force will work under the Halal Blueprint initiative, focusing on promoting Thai halal exporters and enhancing the country’s competitive edge in the global halal market.

Key Players and Collaborations

The task force integrates several important entities:

• Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT)
• Halal Standard Institute of Thailand
• Halal Institute at Prince of Songkla University
• Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Commerce, Foreign Affairs, and Industry

This collaboration aims to streamline efforts and create a cohesive strategy for advancing Thailand’s halal food sector.

Government Support and Strategic Goals

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has been closely monitoring the task force’s progress. He emphasizes the importance of increasing investment and trade between nations to boost economic activity. Under his leadership, Thailand has already made significant strides, including its recent ranking as the 13th largest halal food exporter globally.

The government is optimistic that the expanded halal food industry will reach over two billion Muslims worldwide, opening new avenues for Thai products on the international stage.

Regional Development and Trade Expansion

The Thai government is also focusing on promoting halal agriculture in the five predominantly Muslim southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Satun, and Songkhla. This initiative aims to achieve high halal food standards while creating new trade opportunities for the country’s agricultural products.

In a significant development, Thailand has recently resumed diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia, leading to the export of the first batch of processed chickens to the kingdom. Mr. Thanakorn announced that Thailand plans to export processed chickens worth between 400-500 million baht to Saudi Arabia within the year, showcasing the country’s commitment to expanding its halal export market.

The formation of the Thailand Halal Taskforce represents a major step in Thailand’s strategic plan to leverage the growing global halal food market. By integrating efforts across government agencies and private sectors, the task force aims to enhance Thailand’s position as a leading halal exporter. With ongoing efforts to meet international halal standards and expand trade opportunities, Thailand is well-positioned to capitalize on the lucrative halal market and strengthen its economic ties with Muslim-majority countries.