Significant growth projected for the MENA halal food industry

BCC Research's Halal Food Regional Market Analysis: Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is projected to grow from US$253.9 B in 2025 to US$380 B by the end of 2030, with a CAGR of 7.1% from 2025-2030. Countries covered include Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE.

KSA has the largest market share, which is expected to be worth US$72.7 B by 2030, at a CAGR of 8% over the forecast period.

Distribution channels include hypermarkets and supermarkets, departmental stores, as well as online, while product types include meat and meat products, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, and grain products. The meat and meat product segment will continue to dominate through the end of the forecast period.

According to BCC Research, investment and funding in the MENA halal food sector are accelerating, driven by strong government support and interest from international companies. Governments are streamlining approval processes and strengthening regulations to foster a more business-friendly environment. Rising consumer demand for food safety, ethical consumption, and Islamic lifestyle products, amplified by social media, is fuelling market growth. Additionally, strategic collaborations among governments, regulators, and research institutions are advancing innovation, ensuring global compliance, and promoting sustainable development within the halal food ecosystem.

Growth drivers include:

A growing population: The MENA region has a rapidly expanding Muslim population, which naturally sustains and increases demand for halal food. As religious dietary laws are central to daily life, this demographic growth ensures a steady and loyal consumer base for halal-certified products.

E-commerce: The rise of digital platforms and online food delivery services has made halal food more accessible than ever. Consumers can now easily find and purchase halal products online, boosting market reach and convenience, especially among the tech-savvy younger generation.

Increased investment: Governments and private investors are pouring resources into the halal food sector, supporting infrastructure, certification, and innovation. This financial backing is helping local producers scale up and attract global interest, positioning MENA as a key player in the global halal market.

Trends identified by BCC Research include:

Digitally-influenced halal choices: The halal food market in MENA is experiencing rapid growth, largely fuelled by the rising impact of Islamic lifestyle content on social media. Millennials and Gen Z are especially responsive to online trends and influencers, often basing their food choices on digital recommendations.

Ethical and clean eating trends: A growing regional focus on ethical consumption and clean eating is further accelerating the expansion of the halal food market, aligning with global health-conscious and sustainability-driven consumer behaviours.

BCC Research also highlighted Halal Products Development Company (HDPC), a KSA-based startup and a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The company is dedicated to developing a robust halal ecosystem within the kingdom and promoting the localisation of halal production.

HPDC supports international players in expanding their footprint in the Saudi market and invests in the halal industry to enhance the country's production capacity. Its overarching goal is to position KSA as a global hub for the halal sector. Additionally, HPDC offers advisory services to industry stakeholders seeking to navigate the halal market landscape.

MIHAS ventures across borders to Dubai

Source: MATRADE. The MIHAS@Dubai logo.

The world's largest halal showcase, Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), is gearing up for its international debut after 20 successful editions in Malaysia.

MIHAS is set to launch MIHAS@Dubai as part of the 22nd Middle East Organic and Natural Product Expo at Dubai World Trade Centre from November 18 to 20, 2024. The event is expected to help expand the halal economy by connecting the UAE and Malaysia's halal ecosystem with others worldwide.

"The debut of MIHAS in an overseas market marks a significant milestone in its global expansion, offering Malaysian exhibitors an unparallelled platform to access the thriving international halal market. Showcasing in Dubai - one of the world's prominent trade hubs - enables Malaysian businesses, particularly SMEs, to broaden their reach, forge strategic partnerships, and seize valuable opportunities for sustained growth in the international market," said Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, CEO, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). MATRADE organises MIHAS.

MIHAS@Dubai comes close on the heels of MIHAS Malaysia being recognized by the Guinness World Records for having the largest attendance for a halal trade show. In 2024, MIHAS Malaysia attracted 43,353 visitors from over 90 countries and featured 2,028 booths from 66 nations in Kuala Lumpur from September 17 to 20, 2024.

"MIHAS@Dubai represents a pivotal moment as the first step in the internationalisation of MIHAS. By placing our products at the heart of a major international trade hub, this initiative empowers our businesses, especially SMEs, to extend their market reach, forge lasting strategic partnerships and capitalise on new growth opportunities, setting the stage for long-term global success," added Datuk Mohd.

"The upcoming show will be very significant for both the region as well as the industry since it will witness the global debut of an event that is considered as the nerve centre of the global halal ecosystem," said P Ravi, Director, Global Links Exhibition Organizers & Conferences, organiser of the organics expo.

Mihas@Dubai will help nearly double the number of exhibitors at the organics expo to 550 for its upcoming show. Malaysia will also be the country partner for the Middle East Organic and Natural Product Expo 2024 and will be one of 20 country pavilions at the event.

"MIHAS@Dubai and country partner Malaysia will bring together more than 200 exhibitors and can play a pivotal role in advancing the halal and organic industries in the Middle East. Key avenues for this growth include certification and standards, trade partnerships, investment opportunities, knowledge transfer, and consumer awareness, among others," added Ravi.

The UAE is positioning itself to lead the US$3 T global halal sector. The country is committed to help the region gain from advanced legislative and regulatory aspects while also integrating modern technology for the sustainable development of the halal industry.

"The trade fair is merely the starting point – a gateway for showcasing our products and making initial connections. The true potential lies beyond the event itself, in the lasting relationships, market expansion and trade opportunities that our exhibitors, particularly SMEs, can leverage long after the fair ends. It paves the way for new partnerships, sustained business growth and a broader global impact that will continue to benefit our businesses and the economy for years to come," concluded Datuk Mohd.

*SME stands for small and medium-sized enterprise.

CoCo Bubble Tea eyes Middle East expansion, goes halal

Bubble tea franchise CoCo Bubble Tea has announced a halal bubble tea menu along with plans to expand in the Middle East. Already accustomed to drinking tea, local consumers are particularly receptive to boba tea, which mixes the novelty of boba (also called 'bubbles' or 'pearls') with the familiar taste of tea.

Worldwide, the bubble tea market is expected to grow 66% in seven years, from US$2.46 B in 2023 to US$4.08 B by 2030, and the popularity of the refreshment is growing in the Middle East as well, the company said, sharing that Middle Eastern refreshment companies and entrepreneurs have shown "significant interest".

"We've gotten a major spike recently in inquiries from the Middle East, so we see it as a key region for bubble tea expansion," commented Kody Wang, Director of Business Development at CoCo Bubble Tea. 

"CoCo has a lot to offer the Middle East. With over 5,000 stores worldwide, we have the most international coverage of any pearl milk tea brand, providing potential partners with strong brand recognition and sophisticated infrastructure. Also, our franchise business model and extensive R&D capabilities give us a great deal of latitude to fully tailor refreshment offerings to consumer tastes. 

"The halal menu is just a start, and we hope to find master franchisers to partner with and grow together in the region." 

CoCo can localise refreshments to suit consumer tastes anywhere. With its halal bubble tea menu already prepared, CoCo is poised to launch in the Middle East. All materials for the menu are halal-certified, and the menu offers a variety of options while leaving room for further customisation to accommodate regional variations in preferences.

For franchise partners in the Middle East, CoCo offers:

Source: CoCo Bubble Tea. CoCo offers a range of flavours in its bubble team menu.

- Strong brand reputation and recognition. The company said it has the largest footprint of any bubble tea brand, helping to attract customers and drive business growth.

- Flexible partnerships: CoCo is open to a range of partnerships, from multi-store franchise partnerships to exclusivity in certain countries.

- Stabilised costs for maximised margins: With materials supplied by CoCo, supply chain costs are easily managed.

- R&D: By putting out new products regularly, the brand stays up to date in markets worldwide.

- Extensive menu with customisation for local tastes: CoCo's diverse offerings allow for franchisees to cater to different tastes across the Middle East.

Huikun now halal in Malaysia

Taiwanese tuna specialist Huikun has been awarded halal certification by JAKIM in Malaysia.

Huikun is committed to providing fresh, high-quality, and nutrition-rich tuna products. Its product lineup includes frozen cooked tuna, tuna meat sauce packs, tuna curry sauce, and canned tuna pasta sauce.

MRHB expands reach with Reltime alliance

MRHB, an Islamic crypto platform, has forged an alliance with Reltime to integrate its shari'ah-compliant products into the Reltime Ecosystem. The MRHB platform provides interest-free DeFi, NFT and halal crypto asset opportunities.

CEO of Reltime, Marlene Julo said: "This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in our journey where we can target many key markets (MENA, Southeast Asia) more deeply, taking into account religious and social sensitivities of the end users. Together with MRHB network, we are not just envisioning but actively sculpting the future of the shari'ah compliant Web3 services. It's an exhilarating time for both teams, and the possibilities are boundless."

Added MRHB CEO Naquib Mohammed: "Reltime has built right suite of digital and financial services in its Layer-1 Blockchain platform. We see immense value in integrating and offering our shari'ah compliant service modules and business logic through Reltime to our institutional partners".

The Islamic finance industry reached almost US$4 trillion in 2021, with a growth rate of 17%, up from 14% in 2020, MRHB said.

Halal Food Market at THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 to offer access to global innovations and trends

The THAIFEX - Anuga Halal Market, one of six special programmes at THAIFEX - Anuga, will reflect the boom that the global halal food sector is currently experiencing.

Exhibitors at the event include:

Ghanim International Corporation (GIC), Brunei

GIC has been promoting and marketing bruneihalalfoods products worldwide since 2009. The company was established` with the aim of meeting the growing demand for halal, quality, safety, and sustainability in all aspects of consumption. Their product portfolio includes a wide range of food and beverage items, such as confectionery, snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and frozen poultry.

Serba Wangi, Malaysia

Serba Wangi began operations in 1993 and has since established itself as one of the leading rice millers and wholesalers in Malaysia. Serba Wangi performs a broad range of rice-related activities, such as milling, processing, and packaging for distribution of various rice and rice products under their flagship brand JATI. Household names under the JATI brand include Kapal Layar, Carnation, Songhe Noble Pine Crane, S. Wangi, Fres-Harvest, and Jati Signature. EcoBrown’s is the company's healthy rice series.

Spunky Food Company, a startup, will showcase ethnic food and regional chili toppings at the event. The company is introducing a new plant-based brand, Chivi, at THAIFEX - Anuga Asia. Visitors will be able to see its plant-based tempeh toppings in various flavours, plant-based furikake seasonings, and vegan Thai noodle sets in different flavours.*

According to the Imarc Group, the halal food market was valued at US$2.2 B in 2022, and is projected to be worth US$4.2 B by 2028, a CAGR of 10.8% from 2023 to 2028.

In terms of geographies, the Asia Pacific region is the leading purchaser of halal food, driven by a rising Muslim population and increasing demand for halal food and beverage products, Technavio said. The research firm projected that 51% of the total halal market share growth will originate from the Asia Pacific (APAC) region by 2027. Technavio further reported that Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Singapore are among the leading markets for halal food in the APAC region.

Indonesia is known as the world's largest halal consumer market, with consumer spending reaching US$184 B in 2020.

The halal meat, poultry and seafood (MPS) segment is projected to grow significantly in terms of market share from 2022 to 2027. The upturn began in 2017 and has continued in 2021, said Technavio.

Thailand is presently the world's 12th biggest exporter of halal products and the 5th largest producer of halal foods, with halal export taking the lead among ASEAN countries. Halal food makes up 20% of Thailand's global food exports, and over 60% of halal exports are sent to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Details

THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023 is set to host leaders and innovators in the food and beverage industry this May at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. The trade fair features 11 signature trade shows and six special shows with a focus on innovative blueprints, bold ideas, and cutting-edge solutions. Running from 23-27 May, the food trade fair will unite 3,000 exhibitors from 43 countries and over 60,000 trade visitors from over 120 countries.

*While Spunky Food's products are vegan or plant-based, it's not clear if they are halal as there is no indication of whether alcohol is an ingredient. Spunky Food is not part of the halal pavilion.

IQ Option introduces Islamic account for Android users

Source: IQ Option. Poster for the new Islamic account.

IQ Option, the online trading platform, has introduced Islamic accounts to its Android users. IQ Option's new feature aims to cater to the needs of Muslim traders, who were previously excluded from the trading market due to religious restrictions.

The IQ Option Islamic account has a one-time fixed fee and features halal stocks for trading. Traders can extend their positions to the next trading day for free. Traditionally, this would have required an overnight commission or swap fee, which is considered usury and prohibited by shari'ah law.

Islamic account users also have access to 21 halal stocks. These are shares of companies that do not sell alcohol and tobacco, as well as companies known in the Islamic world and traded on Islamic exchanges.

IQ Option's Islamic account has a one-time commission of US$1. According to IQ Option, competitors require traders to make a large deposit to open an account.

All IQ Option Islamic account holders are assigned a personal account manager, a feature previously reserved only for VIP account holders.

Traders can get an Islamic account on their own without contacting support. Registration must be done with a desktop PC, after which traders can use the account from any Android device.

Details

For those new to IQ Option:

1. Register a standard account on the IQ Option website. You will only need your email.

2. Log in with your email and password and click on your profile icon.

3. Tap the Islamic account activation link.

4. Deposit US$10 or an equivalent in your account currency.

5. The Islamic account will go live soon after, ready for trading on the IQ Option platform.

If you already have an IQ Option account:

1. Log in with your email and password and click on your profile icon.

2. Tap the Islamic account activation link.

3. Make sure you have at least US$1 on your account balance.

As with standard IQ Option accounts, Islamic accounts are also available in regular and VIP tiers. VIP accounts are available to traders who deposit US$3,000+.

The Islamic accounts are available for traders from 20 countries. In the APME region, Bahrain, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen are supported.

Nuodle to take halal beef noodles and more to Dubai

Nuodle, Singapore's first and only halal beef chain of quick-serve restaurants, has announced plans to open its first overseas outlet in Dubai this year. The outlet will be directly owned and managed by the Nuodle team from Singapore. Beef used in Dubai outlets will be sourced in-country.

"We believe that our brand represents Singapore, and itis time to share our passion for food and our heritage with the world. We are thrilled to open our first branch in Dubai, and we are confident that our customers will appreciate the authentic taste of our halal beef noodles," Nuodle's founder and MD Jerry Liao said.

The company recently added mala beef lamian (mala beef noodles, S$8.85) and classic fried bee tai mak (S$7.50) to its menu.

Source: Nuodle. Mala flavoured beef noodles.

The brand was set up to showcase Chinese cuisine, with a focus on the relatively rare Lanzhou beef noodles. Since the opening of the first Nuodle outlet at Singpost in 2017, Nuodle has served more than 1 million bowls per year of affordable Lanzhou beef noodles in Singapore.

Liao subsequently added sweet-and-sour dumplings from Xi’an, Hunan vermicelli fish soup, and spicy gizzard dry sauce noodles from Sichuan. A mala dish was added to appeal to those who like spicy food.

The mala flavoured beef noodles feature Nuodle's tender mala beef, made from a secret recipe, as well as Nuodle's homemade beef broth. Other ingredients include Shanghai greens, coriander, and garlic sprouts. According to Nuodle, the beef and broth are stewed for four to five hours before serving.

Nuodle's other new dish, classic fried bee tai mak, fuses Chinese cuisine with Singapore tastes. Nuodle uses a secret recipe for the sauce, which is fried with chewy bee tai mak, chicken thigh meat, cabbage, capsicum, onion, and Shanghai greens.

"The history of noodle-making is an integral part of our brand, and we are proud to continue this tradition in a modern halal setting. The unique aroma and flavour of beef and noodles in our carefully brewed clear broth, made with clean white turnips, brilliant red chili oil, green cilantro, and a blend of traditional Chinese spices, is a taste that everyone should experience,” Liao suggested.

Nuodle also introduced the concept of hand-pulled noodles to complement its beef noodles. Five types of hand-pulled noodles are available at Nuodle flagship outlets at SingPost Centre, Our Tampines Hub, and Compass One. The broth is prepared with halal beef, beef bones, beef liver, and seasonings.

Nuodle further plans to open its first overseas outlet in Dubai this year. The outlet will be directly owned and managed by the Nuodle team from Singapore. Beef used in Dubai outlets will be sourced in-country.

"We believe that our brand represents Singapore, and itis time to share our passion for food and our heritage with the world. We are thrilled to open our first branch in Dubai, and we are confident that our customers will appreciate the authentic taste of our halal beef noodles," Liao said.

Explore

Nuodle has 20 outlets in Singapore, including three cloud kitchens that can provide island-wide delivery. More pictures are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=singaporerecommends&set=a.640341198102196 

Nuodle members receive privileges such as discounts on dishes.

Hashtags: #nuodle, #halalsg, #halalfood, #nuodlesg, #nuodleasia, #halalfoodsg, #sghalal

BioCell Collagen receives halal certification

BioCell Collagen, a clinically-studied dietary supplement ingredient with more than 20 years of safe and effective use, is now recognised as halal-certified by Islamic Information Documentation and Certification (IIDC).

The IIDC is an independent and internationally-accredited inspection and certification centre for halal foods and services. It is officially recognised by organisations such as the Saudi Food & Drug Authority, The Central Islamic Council of Thailand, JAKIM Malaysia and HAK Turkey.

Collagen ingredients are complex and various methods need to be used to characterise the quality of the ingredient at the supply level.

"The halal product category is growing, and more consumers are looking for the IIDC halal symbol as it affirms the product's commitment to safety and health," said Mohammed Ishaq, CEO of BioCell Technology.

"It's important to us to reach and serve those who seek halal-certified products, and BioCell Collagen meets those strict standards."

BioCell Collagen addresses the physiological degradation of connective tissue. More than a decade of research, including seven human clinical trials, shows that BioCell Collagen can combat visible signs of ageing, such as wrinkles, fine lines and crow's feet, while providing internal support for healthy connective tissues and joints. This is achieved as a result of BioCell Collagen's unique composition of naturally-occurring hydrolysed collagen type II peptides, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid.

"With this new specification, we look forward to supporting more consumers who want more youthful-looking skin, active joints and healthy connective tissue as they incorporate BioCell Collagen into their daily dietary supplement and nutrition routines," said Ishaq.

BRF Sadia launches a new plant in KSA

BRF Sadia, one of the largest food companies in the world, has inaugurated a new plant, Al Joody, in Dammam, KSA. BRF Sadia has invested around US$18 million in the facility, which has increased its monthly production capacity to 1,200 tons of food.

Present at the ceremony were Marcos Molina, BRF Sadia Chairman of the Board; Lorival Luz, BRF Sadia Global CEO; and Igor Marti, BRF Sadia VP for the Halal Market, as well as representatives from the ministries of investment and industry and mineral resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Eastern region municipality and Modon.

"The expansion of BRF Sadia in the Saudi market to manufacture its products locally is a landmark step which will play an integral role in the growth and development of the poultry industry locally, in the interest of the Saudi consumer," said Engineer Abdulhamid Bin Mohammed Al-Shawan, Regional Director of Investment Advisory & Relations.

"It is a very positive time for the Middle Eastern markets and, with the great work from our local team, we are managing to achieve our goals while demonstrating our long-term commitment to the region and the local government's strategy," said Lorival Luz, BRF Sadia Global CEO.

"The opening of the new factory comes after a careful analysis and study of the Saudi market. It aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030, which encourages foreign companies to invest in the local market. Today, we look forward to providing the citizens and residents in the Kingdom with products of the highest quality."

The halal market plays a strategic role in the Company's plans for sustainable growth. Today, BRF Sadia's products produced in the halal region are exported to 14 countries, and there are plans to reach even more markets in the coming years.

BRF Sadia's history in KSA began in the mid-1970s, when Sadia was the first company to introduce and democratise frozen chicken products in the Middle East. Currently, BRF Sadia has more than 500 employees in the country.

In addition to KSA, BRF Sadia is present in all of the major countries within the halal region. Currently, the company has more than 7,500 employees including other production units such as Al Wafi factory in the UAE, and three Banvit plants in Turkey.

World Integrated Supply Ecosystem signs MoU in Thailand for halal-related activities

Integrated Media Technology (IMTE)'s subsidiary World Integrated Supply Ecosystem (WISE) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT), the Halal Standards Institute of Thailand and the Halal Science Center Chulalongkorn University Thailand to collaborate in halal affairs including establishing standards, inspection, certification, halal forensic science laboratory and research exchanges.

The Thai partners are well placed in Thailand to identify Thai companies for collaboration in purchasing process, quality control, risk assessment, and operation management. Under the terms of the agreement, they will actively provide and assist WISE in procuring halal products in Thailand. In addition, all parties will jointly promote halal products through online platform events and trade promotions, as well as on organising joint academic events such as online training courses, conferences and seminars.

Xiaodong Zhang, IMTE's CEO said, "Thailand is one of the world's most important food producers with huge production and export potential for halal products. We look forward to working with these three esteemed organisations to develop Thailand as one of our key strategic sourcing channels.

"This MOU lays the foundation for sourcing an array of halal products to our European distributors and will boosted our halal business in Southeast Asia and the world."

Demand surges for plant-based meat

Stratview Research has launched a report on meat substitutes that describes a surge in demand for plant-based meat products among Millennials globally, coupled with high demand for soy-based meat alternative products.

Meat substitute products include tofu, tempeh, seitan, Quorn, and others. Based on the product type, the meat substitutes market is segmented as soy protein, wheat protein, pea protein, and others. The soy protein segment is expected to be the largest segment during the forecast period due to the high demand for soy-based meat alternative products to pork, beef, and chicken, on account of their high protein content. 

The meat substitutes market can also be segmented by type into concentrates, isolates, and textured options. The concentrates segment is expected to be the fastest-growing due to its low price and high protein content. 

The market can further be divided into solid and liquid forms. The solid segment is expected to remain the larger segment of the market during the forecast period owing to its ability to preserve the flavour and colour of food products. 

In terms of regions, Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the fastest-growing. Awareness of animal welfare, health benefits, cost affordability, and the growing variety of meat substitute products are driving the meat substitutes market in the region, with China and India as the growth engines.

Companies mentioned in the report include:  

- Archer Daniels Midland

- DuPont

- Roquette Frères

- Kerry

- Ingredion

- Sotexpro

- Crespel & Deiters

- CHS

 - Suedzucker

- MGP Ingredients

Explore: 

Request a free sample report

Stratview Research also has Composights, an online portal that offers free thought leadership reports, whitepapers, market report synopsis, and more, worth US$20,000 every year.

Yili launches phase 1 of its new Indonesia Dairy Production Base

Dairy producer the Yili Group has celebrated the official launch of the first phase of the Yili Indonesia Dairy Production Base. When the second phase is completed, the production base will become the country's largest ice cream factory with a daily production capacity of 4 million ice cream products. 

Source: Yili Group. The Yili Indonesia Dairy Production Base.

 

The facility was established due to the popularity of Joyday ice cream, a brand that has rapidly expanded to 260 local cities in 26 provinces, covering nearly all of Indonesia, since its entry into the market in 2018. 

"Local consumers' clear preference for and trust in our products has reinforced Yili's confidence about our long-term investment and development in Indonesia," said Pan Gang, the Chairman and President of Yili Group.

"Yili is always dedicated to following the highest standards to drive quality, sustainable development over the long term and establishing localised operations that benefit the communities where we operate. This ensures that we can better serve local consumers and make deep contributions to socioeconomic development throughout the region." 

The Indonesia-based hub aims to speed up Joyday's product manufacturing, R&D and marketing efforts, with more new products to come.

As Yili's first self-built plant in Southeast Asia, Yili Indonesia Dairy has adopted cutting-edge technology and equipment, including the Internet of Things and big data analytics, to build an innovative and smart factory. 

The production base integrates advanced digital technologies throughout its entire production chain. Robotics solutions are introduced to provide automated packing, palletising, and warehousing. The construction of infrastructure and buildings has been undertaken in line with Yili Group's global quality management standards. 

To date, the factory has already passed the ISO22000, Halal, and BPOM certifications and been rated A grade by LPPOM MUI, the largest food and drug certification agency in Indonesia. 

As part of its efforts to build a sustainable and environmentally friendly production facility, Yili Indonesia Dairy has built a wastewater treatment system with a daily treatment capacity of 2,800 tons. Reclaimed water is then used for the irrigation of plants in the factory. 

To ensure high levels of visibility and transparency, the site will be open to the public whenever the factory is in full operation, and consumers can watch the whole production process as it unfolds. 

While deepening its presence in global markets, Yili follows the principle of "global mindsets and local operations", with a focus on building highly localised factories that benefit local communities. Today, Yili Indonesia Dairy has a total of 383 employees, with local employees accounting for 95% of the workforce. The project is expected to create more than 5,000 new jobs for local communities, directly and indirectly. 

Yili Indonesia Dairy is also actively pursuing further opportunities for cooperation with local partners. To date, the company has already established cooperative relationships with more than 90 suppliers in Indonesia. Moving forward, its partnerships will expand to local distributors with 200,000 sales outlets. 

Yili is further dedicated to promoting the highly rated Indonesian flavors to global consumers through its worldwide marketing channels. 

The completion of Yili Indonesia Dairy sets up another key pillar for Yili's development in the Indonesian and the broader Southeast Asian markets. Together with the company's Thailand-based ice cream production base, Yili's "Southeast Asian dual centres" and Southeast Asia Innovation Center are expected to accelerate product manufacturing and R&D in the region. 

As a platform designed to facilitate cooperation on innovation with universities and R&D institutions throughout the region, Yili Southeast Asia Innovation Center will also work together closely with Yili's innovation centres across China, Japan, Europe and Oceania, with the aim of rolling out more localised innovation solutions that fulfill consumer needs.

The Secret Garden by Zeekri introduces Cov-Eid Stay Home Takeaway Package

The Secret Garden (TSG) by Zeekri, the only halal French eatery in Singapore that marries food with flowers, is now offering the Cov-Eid Stay Home Takeaway Package. The takeaway menu, which includes free islandwide delivery, has sets for one at S$45, and sets for two at S$80. A Secret Platter goes from S$88 for the smaller portion. These prices are nett, with no extra charges.

The sets for one feature a soup, salad or starter; a main or pasta; a mocktail and a house dessert, while those for two allow diners to choose two of each category from the takeaway menu.

Source: TSG by Zeekri. Free islandwide delivery for TSG by Zeekri's Cov-Eid Stay Home Takeaway Package.

Source: TSG by Zeekri. TSG by Zeekri's Cov-Eid Stay Home Takeaway Package features both sets and platters.

 

Details:

Order through Instagram at @thesecretgardenbyzeekri or via WhatsApp at +65 9189 5663. Orders must be made by a day ahead for lunch, and by 12 pm for dinner on the same day.

Nippon Express Company launches halal-certified domestic air cargo transport service

Nippon Express Company (NEC) has expanded its domestic halal logistics services in Japan with a new halal-certified domestic air cargo transport service.

By incorporating halal logistics system-certified work procedures into its Express Hi-Speed domestic air cargo transport service, the company has created a rapid halal transport service capable of handling shipments as small as a single cardboard box.

Since it received halal certification for warehousing in Japan in 2016, the company has introduced halal-only roll boxes for consolidated transport of small-lot cargo amounting to less than a full truckload, as well as halal-only rail containers for large-lot cargo into its warehouse-based transport services as it expanded its handling of halal products.

Source: Nippon Express Company. The Express Hi-Speed domestic air cargo transport service was launched on March 8, 2021.

With interest in halal products growing in Japan, Nippon Express has been constructing a halal logistics service network to support customers' supply chains and provide safety and peace of mind to Muslim customers and others.

According to the company, demand for halal products in Japan is expected to rise not only from Japan's 200,000 strong Muslim population, but also with an increase in foreign visitors/residents from a diversity of cultural backgrounds. High certification standards for quality assurance and hygiene control have also expanded interest in halal products among health- and safety-conscious consumers, NEC said.

In 2014, Nippon Express became the first Japanese company to obtain halal logistics certification in Malaysia, and it has since been developing global halal logistics services.

Express Hi-Speed halal transport offers:

- Improved visibility for halal products (special labels affixed on cargo)

- Halal education for employees engaged in operations

- Delivery modes tailored to specific needs (nationwide next-day delivery service, specified delivery time service, charter delivery service)

- Easy-to-use product design (packaged fees by region/weight, multiple-item shipments, business office stop-off service)

- Visualisation of transport status (trace control through up to seven transit points, confirmations via Nippon Express' website)

Inasentra Unisatya exports the first Indonesian vegan candy to South Korea

Source: Inasentra Unisatya. The Inasentra Unisatya export team.

Indonesian confectionery manufacturer Inasentra Unisatya has made its first exports of Mr. Candy, the first non-gelatin chewy candy in Indonesia. 

Mr. Candy has been sold in South Korea since January in collaboration with E-Max Trading, an importer and distributor of confectionery in South Korea. E-Max sister company Winwin International is the local distributor.

Introduced in 2019, Mr. Candy is certified by the Vegan Society of Indonesia, and has been successful nation-wide.

"We hope to collaborate with South Korea for long-term business, and will provide our best innovative products," said Robin Setyono, Director, Inasentra Unisatya.

Mr. Candy comes in two flavours: ice cube flavour that contains peppermint, and frezzy bites which is a mix of peppermint and spearmint. Inasentra also has other Mr. Candy variants, including Mr. Candy C which has a high Vitamin C content.

Consumers in Korea can find Mr. Candy at traditional markets first, followed later by wider availability in places such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and drug stores.

Inasentra Unisatya makes candies with different textures as well as chocolate.

JBS' protein portfolio at Gulfood 2021

JBS, the world's second-largest food company and the largest providing animal protein, has showcased new products for the Middle East at Gulfood 2021.

The recently-launched Seara Fish range offers high nutritional value. The portfolio initially consists of 10 products, including tilapia fish fillets, salmon chunks and salmon steaks that are Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)-certified, vouching for the sustainability of the production chain and traceability from origin.

New Seara products include a paella kit, mussels, squid rings and four options of shrimp, one of them breaded.

Source: JBS. The JBS stand at Gulfood 2021 highlighted the Seara Perfect Cuts and Black Friboi brands.

Seara is also betting on the halal Perfect Cuts range, developed specially for the Middle Eastern market. The range offers hand-cut chicken parts in consumer trays in convenient sizes.

Seara has also launched the 100% Natural range that was launched in the Middle East market and is available across several supermarkets in the region.

Black Friboi is another new line, offering beef products with Angus genetics. Friboi also presented to the Islamic market the 1953 Friboi Gourmet hamburger. Four times taller than conventional hamburgers, it has no artificial preservatives and no spices.

NovaProm represented JBS New Businesses at Gulfood with its halal collagen proteins and beef stock.

Muis issues religious position on COVID-19 vaccine

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has said that the preservation of life is the key consideration for the permissibility of COVID-19 vaccines. According to Muis, vaccines will contribute to saving lives, providing greater health assurance as well as facilitating the return to economic activity and livelihood as much as possible.

The organisation has stated that a COVID-19 vaccine is permissible for Muslim use, pointing out that the objectives of introducing a COVID-19 vaccine and the processes involved in producing vaccines in general are "largely aligned to established Islamic principles and values". "We would advise and encourage Muslims to be vaccinated once it is available and when the vaccine has been medically authorised as safe and effective, as this is a basic necessity to protect lives in the context of a global pandemic," Muis said in a statement.

"Islamic jurisprudence places great importance on the sanctity and safety of human life and the protection of livelihoods. Accordingly, efforts that seek to protect human life from any form of danger and harm, such as the development of vaccines, are highly encouraged in Islam. Vaccines as a form of protection from diseases and ill-health are welcomed. Previous Muis’ fatwas, such as on the rotavirus vaccine (2013), consider vaccines to be a form of preventive treatment from diseases, and encouraged in Islam. This is drawn from the Prophetic guidance that one could consume foods that offer some protection from illnesses."

The religious view takes a more holistic stance that transcends the narrower issue of halalness or permissibility of its ingredients, Muis acknowledged, listing three considerations:

- The vaccine as critical to saving lives and in ensuring that societies can function safely and cohesively.

- The safety and efficacy of vaccines. Any COVID-19 vaccine must have no known adverse medical effects and have been scientifically established as not expected to cause harm to those who take the vaccine.

- Permissibility of ingredients used in vaccines. There are situations that permit the use of impure or prohibited substances for treatment as evident in some Prophetic traditions. In addition to this, the impure substances or prohibited items used in upstream processes would have undergone multiple layers of chemical processes such as filtration that would render them undetectable or negligible in the final product. This process occurs for the drug heparin (the use of pig enzymes) and the rotavirus vaccine (the use of trypsin).

"In Muslim jurisprudence, these processes are similar to istihala (استحالة) where the original substance changes its form and nature and no longer becomes prohibited. In such situations, the final product (drug or vaccine) is deemed permissible for Muslim use. Vaccines can also be fully synthetic and do not contain any animal components or cells, such as in mRNA vaccines developed for COVID-19," Muis said.

Muis' Fatwa Committee will review and assess the suitability of vaccines for Muslim use if they fundamentally diverge from the principles above, the organisation, added.

Explore:

Read the full religious position issued by the Office of the Mufti in English or Malay.

McDonald's UAE has new Rewards Program

Source: McDonald's UAE eDM.

McDonald's UAE is inviting residents to download the McDonald's app and scan every in-store purchase to collect rewards points. 

A hundred free points are given with the user's first scan on purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Details:

Watch the video.

Download the app.

Growth expected in halal cosmetics and personal care market

Technavio says the halal cosmetics and personal care market is poised to grow by US$28.34 billion from 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 7% during the forecast period. Year-over-year growth for 2020 is estimated at 6.7%.

Source: Technavio. The Halal Cosmetics and Personal Care Market 2020-2024 report forecasts 6.7% growth globally for 2020.

According to its halal cosmetics and personal care market report:

- Demand for halal personal care and grooming products for men are major trends driving the growth of the market.

- The Asia Pacific region will contribute 44% of the market share.

- The company advises market vendors to focus more on the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Vendors mentioned in the Halal Cosmetics and Personal Care Market 2020-2024 report include:

• Amara Halal Cosmetics
• Clara International Beauty Group
• Ivy Beauty
• PROLAB COSMETICS
• Martina Berto
• Paragon Technology and Innovation 
• Saaf Skincare 
• Talent Cosmetics Company
• Total Beauty Network
• Wipro Enterprises

However, Technavio said the market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period.

Technavio is a global technology research and advisory company focusing on emerging market trends and actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimise their market positions. Technavio’s report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries.

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