Halal meat demand rises across European supermarkets, restaurants

The European Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) reported the region’s halal meat sector is expanding rapidly following the growth of Muslim communities and a wider retail footprint. 

The report studied commercial opportunities for halal meat exporters in France, Germany and the Netherlands– the most significant markets in the continent.

“France and Germany each host around six million Muslims, while the Netherlands’ 1.2 million Muslim residents make up roughly 6–7% of its total population. 

“Demand in all three countries remains steady throughout the year, with predictable spikes during Ramadan and other religious holidays,” AHDB stated, as reported by Muslim Network TV.

From the findings, AHDB determined that the consumer trust is key in the expansion of halal meat production and market.

The board said, shoppers in the market strongly prefer products that are certified by credible authorities and labeled transparently, to the extent of paying a premium price for that assurance.

What was deemed a niche market is now growing to fill in the mainstream shelves following the growth of Muslim communities.

The consumption behaviour, the report suggested, gives certified suppliers an opportunity to position their products at a higher price point.

Typically, independent halal butchers dominated retail sales in France and the Netherlands, but that tradition shifted when major supermarket chains steadily broadened their halal ranges particularly in cities with diverse populations.

Their goods now consist of frozen, processed and ready-to-eat (RTE) halal products that are becoming increasingly visible on mainstream shelves.

However, AHDB noted that many retailers still downplay halal branding due to political reasons despite its healthy consumer demand beyond retail, restaurants, takeaways and street-food vendors, which are central to everyday halal consumption in urban areas.

Online delivery is also gaining traction by giving consumers more convenient access to halal goods than ever before.

For businesses, however, expanding into halal foodservice still hinges on reliable certification and sufficient local demand to make the investment viable.