Eblex has commissioned research next month into the halal market after the 2011 Census revealed a significant rise in the UK’s Muslim population.

The beef and lamb body wants insight into the needs of Muslim consumers. The Census revealed a 1.2 million increase in the Muslim population to 2.7 million in the decade since 2001.

Trade sector manager Chris Leeman said it was a market the whole supply chain “can’t afford to overlook”.