The Rise of Thai Halal Industry

In the global halal marketplace, Thailand is emerging as a major supplier of a wide range of products and services deemed permissible for consumption under Islamic law.

Despite having a Muslim minority domestically, Thailand’s government and private sector have leveraged the country’s manufacturing, quality assurance and marketing experience as well as its rich culinary traditions in taking advantage of a growing global appetite for halal products, according to the Department of Thai Trade Centre, MENA.

Currently, Thailand is the world’s 12th leading global exporter of halal products, and 5th largest producer of halal foods. According to its Board of Investment, the country also ranks first for halal export among ASEAN countries. Halal food currently accounts for 20% of Thailand’s global food exports with more than 60% of halal exports going to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

And with a market that is expected to grow 20% annually according to the latest Global Islamic Report, Thailand is hoping to take a bigger slice of the pie. For 2021, the country is targeting a 3% increase in its exports – valued at $3.8 billion – to OIC countries, its second biggest export market next to China.

Among Thailand’s notable food exports include rice, sweet corn, tapioca products, sugar, canned tuna, processed fruit and vegetable products as well as seasonings. It has also been aggressively expanding its halal portfolio with products and services in other sectors, such as cosmetics, poultry and plant-based meat, among others.

Thai halal initiatives

The Central Islamic Council of Thailand (CICOT) which has been established under the Islamic Act is the country’s certification authority. Its main possibility is to ensure that Thai Halal products are produced according to the requirements of Islamic law.

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