Russia’s Halal Food Exports Witness Significant Growth
In an ambitious move, Russia has more than doubled its halal poultry exports in 2024, setting the stage for even greater sales by the end of the decade.
Export Surge in 2024
According to reports from Elena Fastova, Russia’s first deputy agricultural minister, halal food exports soared by 80% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching an impressive US$382 million. Poultry has emerged as the leading segment, accounting for over half of this export value—a notable leap from US$105 million in 2023 to US$211 million in the past year.
Other Segments on the Rise
Halal beef exports also saw substantial growth, increasing from US$41 million in 2023 to US$74 million in 2024. Additionally, lamb exports rose slightly from US$36 million to US$41 million, while the market for ready-to-eat halal products expanded from US$9 million to US$13 million.
Target Markets
Fastova highlighted that the primary consumers of Russian halal food include countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran. She also noted emerging markets such as Algeria, Kuwait, Jordan, and Egypt are being developed for halal exports.
Certification Challenges
Despite this growth, Russia faces challenges in obtaining widely recognized halal certifications. Currently, six different halal certification centers operate within the country, as global halal markets adhere to varying certification standards, particularly in regions such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, and Indonesia.
Future Potential
Officials believe that Russia is only scratching the surface of its potential to expand agricultural and food exports to Islamic nations. Ilya Iliyshin, head of Agroexport, estimated the potential of Russian halal food exports at a staggering US$26 billion annually. Marketing studies suggest that the global halal food market is valued at around US$1.4 trillion, with considerable spending occurring in the Middle East and North Africa.
A Growing Market
“The halal product market is one of the fastest-growing segments in the global food industry, correlating with the increasing Muslim population, which constitutes 25% of the world’s total,” Iliyshin commented.
Strategic Government Support
Russia is actively seeking to penetrate the Malaysian market, which has its own halal certification framework. Government projections indicate that halal food exports will continue to grow consistently until at least 2030.
Conclusion
Expanding halal food exports has become a significant government objective. Russian authorities are making concerted efforts to facilitate connections between Russian exporters and international markets. “The Ministry of Agriculture is poised to effectively coordinate communication between exporting companies and global partners,” Fastova emphasized, highlighting the commitment to advancing this promising sector.
