HALAL CERTIFICATION: THE KEY TO OPENING FOOD EXPORTS TO MUSLIM COUNTRY

Halal certification is a 'passport' for exporting agricultural products and processed food to Muslim countries with a huge market accounting for over a quarter of the world's population.

On November 30, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize a forum with the topic "Potential of global Halal food market and opportunities for Vietnam".

Attending the forum were many international organizations, embassies of countries in Vietnam, especially countries with large Muslim communities.

Untapped potential

The consumption for agricultural products in general, especially agricultural products and processed food, for Muslim communities in the world today is very large, accounting for more than a quarter of the world's population, including many potential areas such as the Middle East, Africa, European countries, many Southeast Asian countries ...

However, Vietnamese businesses are not really interested in this huge and potential market of agricultural and food products. According to the current regulations, in order to export food and processed agricultural products to Muslim countries, Vietnamese businesses will have to comply with the regulations, production and processes under Halal certification requirements, and must be certified Halal.

The forum was attended by a large number of speakers from the Embassy of Muslim countries in Hanoi. Photo: Le Ben

Mr. Ibnu Hadi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia in Vietnam, shared, Halal is not only a certificate, a "passport" for the export of processed agricultural products - food to the Islamic country, but it is also a comprehensive and complex process, from all stages of production, to processing, meeting the cultural factors of Islam.

Ms. Dato 'Shariffah Mustaffa, Ambassador of Malaysia (a country with a large Muslim population) in Vietnam also said that: Currently, Vietnam has 2 organizations that assess and issue Halal certification for businesses exporting processed agricultural products and food to Muslim countries.

However, in order to exploit and penetrate deeply into the huge market of food - agricultural products of Muslim countries, Vietnam should establish a capable organization, well-invested in its people and stature infrastructure to further study Halal. In addition, Halal certification organizations in Vietnam also need to link and support each other in Halal certification work, and need more investment and support from the Government to improve their assessment capacity.

Halal certification is not only a standard, but also a belief

Mr. Hoang Ba Nghi, General Director in charge of Certification Organization of Halal Food Standards for export to Muslim countries of NHO Certification Organization in Vietnam, said that besides Muslim countries, the trend of consuming Halal certified food products in developed countries is also growing these days. (Thailand and Japan are doing very well in logistics and food services, serving the Muslim community in the tourism industry).

A large number of international organizations, embassies of countries in Vietnam, businesses and associations of processing and exporting agricultural and aquatic products were present at the forum. Photo: Le Ben

If Vietnam focuses on creating a systematic ecosystem of Halal certified products and services, there will be great potential to attract tourists from Muslim countries.

About regulations on the export of agricultural products and food to Muslim countries, Mr. Hoang Ba Nghi said that at present, the export of raw agricultural products (unprocessed) to Islam markets will not require Halal certification. However, for processed agricultural products, there is a must.

Basic requirements and conditions to be certified Halal

Enterprises must ensure food requirements according to practices in international trade, that is to ensure the regulatory elements of product quality; food safety conditions (according to Codex standards, ISO standards, and other certificates of food safety conditions for some particular markets ...).

In addition, Muslim countries also require additional Halal certification. Halal certification is not related to the common requirements of food quality and safety, but more to factors of religious beliefs.

Halal certification is a prerequisite for reaching consumers in Muslim countries. Photo: ST

Muslim consumers will not use food products, processed agricultural products, travel services, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,... if the products and services do not guarantee traceability and have Halal certification.

Hahal Certification is based on Islamic Law systems, in which food must be absolutely guaranteed not related to pork, no alcohol ...

Mr. Hoang Ba Nghi also said that in fact, to achieve the Halal requirements and certification is not too difficult. Currently, most Vietnamese businesses can do this.

However, businesses need to coordinate with authorized Halal certifiers in Vietnam to conduct Halal verification and certification to ensure consumer confidence in Muslim countries.

Some issues that businesses need to keep in mind when evaluating for Halal certification are the need to comply with some additional regulations on factory conditions, raw materials and so on.