Although popular among Muslims, many Korean products yet to certify halal

Despite Korean products popularity among Muslim consumers across the globe, the Korea Halal Authority (KHA) Managing Director, Mustafa Jin Jae-nam reported that many Korean companies do not actively go for halal labels.

According to Jin, most of the companies did not know that they can achieve halal certification through KHA and other Korea-based certifiers as they are misled by some private consultants who encourage them to seek foreign halal certifiers.

Depending on the case, the private consultants can profit from brokerage fees worth millions of won per case, resulting in less companies looking for local halal certifiers.

“Now, with K-food’s global popularity, many companies seem to go for halal but many of them still think the process is redundant and difficult.

Korea Halal Authority (KHA) Managing Director, Mustafa Jin Jae-nam. (photo credit: The Korea Times)

“In addition, contrary to Korean foods’ popularity across the Muslim nations, their market shares in those countries are pitifully small,” he said, as reported by The Korea Times.

Currently, Jin said there are only a few Korean halal products in Korea that if Muslim visitors come to Korea, they would find  the variety and availability of halal-certified Korean foods are surprisingly limited, with some 3,000 halal food stores mostly importing to fill their shelves.

He reckoned if the situation is this dire in Korea, then it must be more challenging in overseas markets and believed that the stores should be supplied with Korean halal products instead.

“Major distributors in Muslim nations like Mah Sing Group in Malaysia sell tens of thousands of halal items for local Muslim consumers.

Halal labels instill confidence in Muslim consumers that the products are sourced, processed and extracted in compliance to Shariah principles. (photo credit: Korea Halal)

“Among  them, Korean products account for only a few hundred, mostly food and beauty products,” he said.

If the companies want to grow their businesses internationally, especially among Muslim consumers, Jin said the companies need to be halal certified.

The KHA Managing Director elaborated, the Muslim consumers put higher priority on the halal label in comparison to the popularity of certain brands or price, making the label an  essential aspect of the product.

“Many Korean companies say they export to different countries, but in many cases the importers are retailers dedicated to Korean products overseas. 

More Korean companies should take advantage of the global Korean wave through halal certification. (photo credit: Korea Net)

“The companies need the label to truly expand their global markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and Central Asia where demands are much higher than the Middle East due to closer proximity and more vibrant cultural exchanges,” he said.

To facilitate Korean companies expansion onto the global stage, Jin also plans to invite major distributors in Muslim markets to Korea through a halal-themed expo and introduce them to Korean halal products for export.

He believes the initiative is the most effective way to expand Korean exports in Muslim markets, in comparison to the typical international food shows planned by the Korean government, where companies meet potential buyers through one-on-one meetings.

“If there are enough halal-labeled Korean products here to show them, we can hit supply deals with those firms,” he said.