Philippines Targets 10% Boost in Halal Exports Amid Global Surge

Amidst a shifting global food landscape, the Philippine government is ramping up its commitment to boosting halal food production, setting its sights on both local consumption and a more significant slice of the burgeoning international halal market.

The Department of Agriculture’s Halal Project Management Office (HPMO) is currently in the midst of the second phase of its ten-year strategy, the 2017-2027 Halal Food Industry Development Program. This stage is pivotal, aiming to heighten the visibility of the halal sector within the country while simultaneously seeking to break into additional markets on the global stage.

Ammar Yassir Baraguir, the head of HPMO, elucidated their proactive strategy: “We have already laid the groundwork with the establishment of multiple halal multiplier farms, and kickstarted the procurement of P5 million worth of animals for strategic distribution in these areas.” Furthermore, the HPMO offers guidance to private farms keen on obtaining halal certification.

Baraguir explained, “Our role goes beyond mere certification. We offer technical aid and insights, helping farms attain a recognized halal status even before full certification.” He also hinted at the potential unveiling of a comprehensive catalog detailing DA-endorsed halal products.

In line with international standards and ensuring rigorous quality control, the office is collaborating with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards to devise additional Philippines National Standards for Halal. Presently, the country boasts six such standards, encompassing a range of areas including halal agricultural and fisheries products, slaughtering practices, and production of halal raw milk.

With the current phase focusing primarily on food production, Baraguir shared that the stakeholders’ goals extend to ramping up the output across sectors – be it crops, livestock, dairy, or fisheries.

Looking ahead, Baraguir noted that the third phase of their roadmap would pivot towards expanding exports, capitalizing on the first phase’s foundation which sought to solidify the halal food industry’s place in the national agenda, craft a robust policy framework, and enhance capabilities through training and widespread media campaigns.

This heightened national focus on halal isn’t unfounded. As highlighted in the Global Islamic Economy Report, the worldwide halal industry stands at an impressive $2.3 trillion and is projected to surge to $3.7 trillion by 2024. With such figures, the Philippines’ halal sector is gearing up to claim a sizeable share of this lucrative pie.