Some information and events related to the halal products market in the Philippines

1. Philippine market potential for halal products

With its growing Muslim population, the Philippines is a new market for halal products. Furthermore, the Philippines is also aiming to develop into a production center for halal products exported to other countries and the region, including dairy products, beef products, poultry, glucose syrup and animal fats.

The Philippines has the third largest Muslim population in Southeast Asia. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, about 6% of the country's population is Muslim, and the number is growing by about 3% per year. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos estimates that Muslims make up about 10% of the population, or about 12 million people. While a large portion of Filipino Muslims live in the Bangsamoro region, the rest live in various rural and urban areas in different parts of the country, including Metro Manila.

During the period 2020 - 2024, the Philippines annually imports halal standard consumer products with a value of over 100 million USD. In addition, it also imports a large amount of raw materials to produce halal products. Specifically, in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the import value of halal products is estimated at about 120 million USD, 127 million USD and 131 million USD respectively, of which:

• 60% is dairy products,
• 15% is beef products,
• 11% are poultry products,
• 06% are glucose syrup products,
• 04% is animal fat products
• 04% are other products.

Among the markets importing Halal products from the Philippines, the US is the leading one, accounting for about 42% of the total import turnover. Next is New Zealand accounting for about 28%, India accounting for about 10%, South Korea accounting for about 7%, Brazil and Australia together accounting for about 5%, ASEAN countries accounting for about 2% and the EU accounting for about 1%.

• For halal dairy products: The Philippines imports about 51% from the US, about 47% from New Zealand, and the rest from other countries. In this product group, skimmed milk powder accounts for about 44%, milk fat about 29%, lactose powder about 10%, buttermilk powder about 9%, whey powder about 7%.
• For halal beef products: Philippines imports from India about 63%, Brazil about 30%, Australia about 5% and Ireland about 2%.
• For halal poultry products: Philippines imports about 96% from the US (mainly chicken thighs), Brazil about 4% including many chicken products such as chicken thighs, chicken wings, chicken breasts and chicken products.
• For halal standard glucose syrup products: Philippines imports mainly from Korea.
• For halal standard animal fat products: Philippines imports from Australia about 93%, from Ireland about 1% and from France about 6%.
• For other halal standard products: Philippines imports mainly from the US such as beverage products, coca-cola.

2. Policy to promote the production of halal products for export

Recently, the Philippines has taken an important step to establish and strengthen its position in the global halal market by establishing the National Halal Industry Development Office (NHIDO).

This agency is tasked with developing policies to promote the production and consumption of halal products in the domestic market and to export halal products to other countries, especially Southeast Asian countries, most importantly Indonesia.

The agency is also tasked with supporting international halal certification procedures, ensuring compliance and conformity with global halal standards, aiming to enhance international credibility and trust in halal-certified products.

The target program that this agency aims for:

- Promote the recognition of halal certified products in the international market,

- Rapidly develop halal product supply chains,

- Implement training programs on halal standards for the manufacturing and importing business community.

3. The second halal products fair was held in Manila, Philippines

With a new potential market for halal products, the Philippine halal products fair - Hala Expo Philippines - was held for the first time, from November 14 to 16, 2024, at the World Trade Center, Manila, Philippines. The event brought opportunities for halal industry suppliers and buyers not only in the Philippines but also the global halal community.

Continuing the success from last year, the Halal Expo Philippines 2025 will be held from November 13 to 15, 2025 at the World Trade Center, Manila, Philippines.

Main activities within the framework of the event include:

1. Product exhibition: An opportunity for businesses to display, introduce and promote halal certified products.

2. Conference/workshop: A place for representatives of businesses, associations and managers to exchange, introduce and evaluate the potential and development trends of global halal products and services.

3. Halal food cooking demonstration: An opportunity for chefs to demonstrate the preparation of halal dishes and viewers to experience tasting halal dishes.

4. Fashion Show: A place to showcase current and upcoming fashion trends for the Philippine and world markets.

This is an event that brings together many halal industries/sectors, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements, banking and financial services, e-commerce and digital economy services, halal certification and franchising, tourism, fashion and beauty products, and logistics services.

The Philippines Halal Fair will be an opportunity for businesses to not only access the Philippine halal market but also the global halal market because the Organizing Committee plans to invite many buyers, representatives of supermarket systems, and large halal product supply systems in the world to attend the event.

For more information about the event please contact:

Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines

Commercial Counselor – Phung Van Thanh

Mobi: +63 998 558 6169 (with Zalo/Viber/Telegram/Whatsapp)

Email: ph@moit.gov.vn ; thanhpv@moit.gov.v n

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Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/thi-truong-nuoc-ngoai/mot-so-thong-tin-va-su-kien-lien-quan-toi-thi-truong-cac-san-pham-halaa-tai-philippines.html