One hundred companies from all over the world knock every year at the door of the Halal Trade and Marketing Centredependent on Emirate of Dubai. Companies seek advice to sell their products in the growing muslim market following the requirements set by the halal islamic tradition. At the head of the institution has been for five years the Spanish Thomas Guerreroexpert in the matter and holder of a long professional career in the field of commercial transactions with the Islamic space.
“Dubai aspires to lead the global halal market”Guerrero declares in conversation with EL CORREO DEL GOLFO. To that end he founded the emirate government The office run by the Spanish expert has been running for five years, which not only manages the economic flow of Emirati companies but also intends to establish itself as commercial transaction bridge between West and East. We are talking about a market in continuous growth, encrypted today in 2 trillion dollars, that integrates 57 Islamic majority countries of all the world. On food and beverages alone, Muslims spent more than 1.2 trillion dollars in 2021, the vast majority of halal consumption. The expectations of the certified Islamic food economy for the year 2025 reach 1.6 trillion dollars.
“Our mission is guide, guide and facilitate companies how to do business in the muslim countrieswhere they always run into the religious technical requirementwhich sometimes prevents them from selling their products”, explains Tomás Guerrero. ‘Halal’ means “allowed” in Arabic, just the opposite of ‘haram’, which refers to products or practices prohibited by Islamic orthodoxy. The best known in the western world is the prohibition of the consumption of pork and its derivatives. But it is not the only ban provided for in the ‘sharia’ or Islamic law. The intake of animals found deadthe sangre or the alcohol. The agri-food sector represents around 80% of the ‘halal’ certification processes.
“Dubai is a ‘hub’ to market products in the region; we want to be the capital of the Islamic economy”
Dubai is not the only enclave in the Islamic world that claims to lead the thriving ‘halal’ business, but it has unbeatable geographical and economic conditions, in Guerrero’s opinion. “We live on turismohe trade and the financial sector. There is no oil or gas. Dubai is a ‘hub’ to market products in the region. and we want to be capital of the islamic economy. The reference place for the commercialization of goods of this type”, declares the director of the Emirati institution. He 60% of imports purchased by Dubai are re-exported and end up in India, the Horn of Africa, Malaysia or Indonesia. “Dubai saw the opportunity to offer a privileged ‘halal’ ecosystem or ‘friendly’ to do business with this type of services”, explains Guerrero.
The Halal Trade and Marketing Centre It is not a certifying entity, but an advisor, and it is made up of seven people. It displays three lines of work. The first, which Guerrero calls “market intelligence”is in charge of carrying out specific studies and analysis, in order to help companies to identify trends and opportunities in the ‘halal’ sector‘. The second line has to do with the regulatory framework and provides advice on What to do to get certified and be able to export goods to Muslim buyers. And finally, the last one refers to the business development and the work of connection between producers and importers.
The three most dynamic sectors in the ‘halal’ business are cosmeticlos drugs and, above all, the feedingwhich monopolizes the 90% of Dubai office transactions. In this last division, Islamic certification is mandatory, while in the first two it is not yet. Hence, the substantial difference in the volume of transactions. “Within food, we work a lot with meat, processed foods and dairy products,” says Tomás Guerrero. The origin of the companies is diverse. From spain a Colombiagoing by Australia, USA, Brazil, Germany, South Africa, Mexico, Nigeria, Mozambique, Japan o taiwan.
Las Spanish and Latin American companies based in the Emirates are in a “Privileged position” in relation to the ‘halal’ niche. “Above all, the South American ones”, points out Guerrero. “Have quality products and good price. There are cheaper products in Africa, but the quality drops. And you can find that virtuous balance in Latin America”. It is increasingly easier to purchase goods and items from South America in the Gulf region. “It is a trend that will continue to rise,” announces the head of Halal Trade. Spain, however, is beginning to have a problem with prices. “In terms of quality, there are few countries that can beat it, but there are others that offer most competitive products”.
Spanish and Latin American companies based in the Emirates are in a “privileged position” in relation to the ‘halal’ niche
Las Latin American companies have been adapting to ‘halal’ standardsalthough there is still a long way to go. There are still few that have Islamic certification and export to the Gulf region. “They are in a embryonic phase”, maintains Guerrero. Brazil is the South American country that has done the best in this sector. The rest follow with some delay. In general, Latin America has traditionally exported to the US and Europe. “Diversifying is good, but entering the world of religious certification is an adventurewhich entails some risks”, he objects.
The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (CCG), which make up a population of 57 million inhabitantsThey have a high dependence on the outside. Every year import 60 billion dollars worth of halal food and beverages, representing 4.7% of the Islamic food exchange worldwide. 90% of the beef and lamb consumed in the region comes from third countries. Solo United Arab Emirates buys meat abroad every year for an amount of $1.3 billion.
“Being present at Gulfood enables you to close deals with buyers from Asian and North African countries”
At the end of the month, the Gulfood food fair, one of the three most important in the world by participants and business volume. “There is very good expectations, as always”, says Tomás Guerrero. “It is not only a benchmark for the region but internationally”. Under the protection of ICEX, the Spanish public entity, close to 400 national companies will participate in the Emirati event. Of Latin America a smaller number will appear. “Is he showcase to sell in this part of the world. Being here makes it possible for you to close deals with buyers from Asian and North African countries.”
Spain already has a thousand certified companiesmore than half of them by the Halal Institute, with headquarters in Cordoba. Italia It is the most up-to-date European country in this area of the Islamic economy and with the greatest export power. “They have a fabulous marketing”, admits Tomás Guerrero. “Germany it has also done its homework and has considerable halal export capacity. Spain is well placed, although later we have become expensive and it is no longer so easy”.
The Halal economy is in good health. And all the indicators herald a promising future. By 2030, the Muslim population will be close to 2.200 million inhabitants Worldwide. It is also aboutemerging economies with very high growth rates and an increasingly robust middle class with greater purchasing power. “These are factors that show that this market has a very good future”, concludes the director of the Halal Trade and Marketing Center.