Disseminating regulations and commitments on food safety for Halal market

On October 23, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) in coordination with Dong Nai Department of Agriculture and Environment (DoAE), organized a conference to disseminate regulations and commitments on food safety and animal and plant quarantine under the VIFTA and CEPA agreements (Israel, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates).

The conference was attended by representatives of Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point (SPS Vietnam), experts in the Halal market, and agricultural producers and businesses inside and outside the province.

A representative of SPS Vietnam speaks at the conference. Photo: B. Nguyen

The Halal market is new but holds strong growth potential. The Muslim population currently stands at 2 billion people, accounting for 25% of the world’s population. The global Halal economy is estimated to reach approximately USD 10 trillion before 2028. In particular, the Halal food market is expected to reach nearly USD 5 trillion in 2024. In terms of tourism, Muslim outbound visitors reached 176 million in 2024 and could reach 230 million by 2030, with spending projected at USD 325 billion by 2030. Priority markets include Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

A representative of a manufacturing enterprise in Dong Nai province shares opinions at the conference. Photo: B. Nguyen

In terms of policy development, the major orientations for the Halal market already include: the Scheme on strengthening international cooperation to build and develop Vietnam’s Halal industry by 2030; the Decree on management of Halal products and services; the establishment of the National Halal Certification Center; and the development of six national Halal standards.

However, Vietnam has yet to build a synchronized Halal ecosystem, has limited linkages between sectors, and has not formed a focal agency or an overall strategy for the development of the Halal industry.

A representative of the Vietnam Agribusiness Club responds to questions from enterprises at the conference. Photo: B. Nguyen

The conference updated participants on Halal market sanitary and phytosanitary measures and disseminated commitments on food safety and animal and plant quarantine under the VIFTA and CEPA agreements; introduced State policies and orientations for the development and consumption of Halal products; and shared experience on Halal market practices as well as labelling and packaging requirements of markets such as Israel, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

Deputy Director of DoAE Le Thi Anh Tuyet speaks at the conference. Photo: B. Nguyen

The delegation tours the production process at G.C Food Joint Stock Company (JSC) in Ho Nai Industrial Park (Ho Nai ward). Photo: B. Nguyen

On this occasion, the working delegation, including representatives of the MoAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SPS Vietnam Office, and producers and businesses inside and outside the province, toured the production lines of several enterprises, including GC Food JSC in Ho Nai Industrial Park (Ho Nai ward) and Long Son Food Co., Ltd. in Long Binh ward.

By Binh Nguyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha