Pakistan’s halal food exports hold $50bn potential, experts say

Pakistan possesses a vast $40-50 billion potential in halal food exports, according to industry experts. Currently, the nation's share in the $3 trillion global Halal economy is less than 1%, despite being home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world. The Pakistan Halal Forum 2026, organized by Asad Sajjad, aims to bridge this gap through collaboration between public and private sectors, as well as global bodies.

The forum will be held in December 2026 and is expected to attract participants from more than 35 countries, including exhibitors and international buyers.

Sajjad revealed that there are an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 halal product companies in Pakistan, capable of driving exports to the global halal market. However, the road to achieving this potential is fraught with challenges. International Halal Certification (IHC) CEO Mufti Zeeshan Abdul Aziz highlighted regulatory barriers, insufficient laboratory testing facilities, certification challenges, a lack of innovation, and weak marketing and branding as key obstacles.

He noted that Pakistani exporters are hesitant to explore non-traditional markets such as Central Asian, African, and Eastern European states, while global players like India, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and others have been successful in tapping these markets for years.

Aziz also emphasized that halal is no longer restricted to food alone, as it has become a global standard for quality, hygiene, and safety, extending to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, modest fashion, and tourism. He stressed that IHC's global accreditation, accepted in the GCC, Malaysia, and Indonesia, can help Pakistani products gain international market access.