The UK government is failing to recognise the value in the halal market, the meat industry has warned.
The meat industry has said the “dynamic, high-value market” has been overlooked by the UK government in trade strategy, food policy and international promotion.
The Muslim Census for Great Britain revealed that Muslims now represent 6% of the population whilst the proportion of Muslims aged 15 or under is almost double that of the overall population.
AIMS has said this combined with the export market opportunities in the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa means there is an opportunity for Britain to lead in this space.
“Industry leaders from the Muslim and non-Muslim community are warning that the government’s failure to champion and invest in the sector risks squandering a major post-Brexit trade advantage,” said Dr Jason Aldiss, executive director at AIMS.
“The halal meat market is not a niche – it is a major global growth segment,” he added, pointing to new data from The Halal Times which reported the global halal market is projected to be worth $3.27tn by 2028.
“British producers, processors, and certifiers are capable of offering high-welfare, fully traceable halal meat, produced to world-leading hygiene, animal welfare and food safety standards,” he said. “But without government support and recognition, this opportunity is being ignored, and international customers are turning elsewhere.”
AIMS and its members have called for active government promotion of UK halal exports, recognition that halal does not mean low welfare, investment in UK-based halal assurance schemes and the inclusion of halal meat in future trade negotiations.
“Currently, there is no formal UK government programme dedicated to promoting halal meat in trade delegations or export platforms, despite growing demand,” said Aldiss. “Nor is there recognition of the value halal abattoirs bring to local economies and minority communities, many of which rely on small and medium-sized operators rooted in tradition, skill, and family ownership.”
AIMS is urging ministers across Defra, DBT and FCDO to meet with sector representatives and design a halal export and market development strategy, embedded within the UK’s broader agri-food and diplomacy framework.
“If the government is serious about economic growth and promoting British food on the world stage, it cannot afford to leave halal behind.”
This comes as Golden Acre Foods expanded its halal range with four new lunchbox lines, to enter stores in time for back to school.
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