Influence of halal institute certification activity on Spanish market exports

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to study the Certification activity of the Instituto Halal (IH), based in Córdoba (Spain), with more than 20 years' experience in this field: more than 1000 applications have been processed and a total of 515 certified companies, currently. Data from 2006 to 2021 have been analyzed; the evolution of halal certification from 2006 to 2014 shows a slow evolution, from 2014 to 2016 a stable one, from 2016 to 2018 a high increasing, 2018 to 2020 stable, and from 2020 to 2021 high increasing. Halal Institute made a huge progress in a short time and becomes a strong, professional organisation and a reference for Halal in Spain and Latin America. It has been recognized and accredited by several authorities over the world, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Emirates, Morocco, and Qatar. Halal Institute also has signed mutual recognition and memorandum of understanding with several organizations (certification bodies, standardization bodies, religious authorities...). Halal Institute has contributed to develop the halal concept and facilitate halal certified companies to achieve a share of market over the globe to export halal products; from 2015 to 2021 Spanish halal products have been exported to 91 countries, especially to Emirates, Qatar, Morocco, Algeria, France, Italy, and United Kingdom. From 2017 to 2021 halal bovine meat product exports reached 31.8%, ovine/caprine meat products reached 12.5%, and poultry meat and other products, 55.8%.