Brazil leads halal food exports as global market heads toward $2 trillion by 2029

Brazil has consolidated its position as the world’s largest food exporter to countries in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC, underscoring the role of animal protein in the country’s international trade.

In 2024, Brazil shipped $33.3 billion worth of food to OIC markets, ahead of China, with $32.6 billion; India, with $28.7 billion; the United States, with $21 billion; and Turkey, with $18.7 billion.

The figures are from the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2025/26, which also projects strong growth in global halal food consumption. The segment was worth $1.53 trillion in 2024 and is expected to reach $2.06 trillion by 2029, creating new opportunities for exporting countries.

Brazil’s leadership is driven mainly by animal protein exports, especially halal-certified chicken, which has become one of the main entry points for Brazilian food companies seeking access to Muslim consumer markets.

Ali Hussein El Zoghbi, vice president of FAMBRAS Halal Certificadora, said Brazil’s performance shows that halal products are no longer a niche segment of the global economy.

“Brazil has long been the world’s largest exporter of halal food. This leadership demonstrates the Brazilian industry’s ability to serve highly demanding markets and confirms that halal certification has become a key strategy for competitiveness and access to international trade,” he said.

Animal protein drives Brazil’s lead

For Brazil’s animal protein industry, particularly poultry and beef, halal certification has become a strategic part of export operations.

According to Datamar, chicken meat exports to the Middle East fell 8.5% year to date in the January-May period. The chart below shows the monthly volumes recorded:

Chicken Exports to the Middle East | Jan 2023 – May 2026 | TEUs

Fonte: DataLiner (clique aqui para solicitar uma demonstração)

The process ensures that the entire production chain complies with Islamic requirements, from the selection of raw materials to slaughter, processing, storage and transport.

Beyond the religious dimension, halal certification is also increasingly recognized as a sign of quality, traceability and food safety, attributes valued even by non-Muslim consumers.

“Halal certification is a bridge of trust between the industry and consumers,” Zoghbi said. “It guarantees compliance with religious requirements, but it is also associated with food safety, traceability, process transparency and the integrity of the entire production chain.”

Growth creates new opportunities

Although Brazil already leads exports to Islamic markets, expected growth in global demand points to room for further expansion through product diversification and access to new markets.

According to Zoghbi, Brazil’s challenge now goes beyond increasing export volumes.

“Brazil’s challenge is not only to maintain its leadership in volume, but to move forward in value creation,” he said. “We have the conditions to consolidate the country as a global benchmark in quality, innovation, technology, sustainability and reliability in halal food production.”

Technology strengthens traceability

The evolution of the halal market has also been accompanied by the adoption of new technologies focused on traceability and supply-chain transparency.

Digital tools allow companies to monitor every stage of production, from the origin of ingredients to processing, transport and sale. Electronic verification systems and QR codes make it easier to authenticate certificates and give consumers quick access to information on product compliance.

“Consumers are not looking only for a seal,” Zoghbi said. “They want to know where the food came from, how it was produced and whether they can trust the entire chain. Certification is following this evolution by incorporating processes that increase transparency, safety and credibility in operations.”

Source: O Presente Rural

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