In 2024 Brazil exported $33.3 billion of food to the countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, consolidating its position as the world's leading supplier. The global Halal market is heading towards $2 trillion by 2029. For Italian agri-food companies this scenario is not a barrier but a signal: those who get certified today enter a fast-growing market with a real competitive advantage.
According to an analysis published by Datamar News on 3 August 2026, in 2024 Brazil exported food worth $33.3 billion to the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), ranking first ahead of China. The global Halal market is expected to grow towards $2 trillion by 2029. These figures point in a clear direction: Halal demand in Islamic markets is not a niche phenomenon — it is the main driver of some of the largest trade flows in the world.
For an Italian agri-food company, reading these numbers through the lens of Brazilian competition may seem discouraging. In reality, the reasoning should be different.
Brazil's leadership rests above all on mass-market animal protein: beef and poultry destined for markets that buy huge volumes at competitive prices. Italy does not compete on that ground, nor should it. The positioning of Italian food in Islamic markets follows a different logic: high value-added processed products such as pasta, preserves, olive oil, cheese, pork-free cured meats, confectionery, bakery products and beverages.
In these segments, Halal certification is not an optional extra: it is the necessary condition for entering organised retail in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia and the other main OIC markets. Without a certificate recognised by the local authorities, an Italian product — however excellent — stays off supermarket shelves and out of the specifications of organised food service.
OIC countries do not accept just any Halal certification: each recognises a specific list of authorised bodies. For an Italian company that wants to export, it is essential to know which body to turn to depending on the target market:
Turning to a certification body that is not recognised by these authorities means obtaining a document that will not be accepted at customs or when listing with local retailers. The result is goods being held or shelf listing being refused.
The Halal certification process for an Italian agri-food company starts with an analysis of raw materials and ingredients, continues with a review of production processes and any risk of cross-contamination, and ends with the on-site audit and the issue of the certificate. It is not instantaneous, but neither is it particularly complex if approached methodically and with well-organised documentation.
The areas where companies most often find themselves unprepared are:
The Halal market is expanding, but it is also becoming more regulated. Indonesia, for example, has made Halal certification mandatory for all businesses from October 2026. Other countries are following similar paths, with requirements for market access becoming progressively stricter. Companies that get certified today consolidate their position before requirements tighten further and before international competitors take up the available space.
Brazil's dominance in Halal exports to OIC countries is real, but it concerns market segments that Italian food does not and need not occupy. Italy's value lies elsewhere: in the quality of its processed products, in the recognisability of its traditional specialities and in its ability to serve consumers in Islamic countries who are looking for premium products. Halal certification is the prerequisite for turning this competitive advantage into export revenue.
HQC Italia, the first Halal certification body in Europe since 1983, issues certificates recognised by the main Islamic authorities in more than 50 countries. To find out which recognitions are needed for your destination market and which production requirements apply, you can request a free quote: you will receive a reply within 24 hours.
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