The demand for halal in the U.S. and abroad from consumers has grown in the last few years. From 2005-2009, Datamonitor Group has estimated that the number of global halal product launches has increased by 150%. The exponential rate of increased halal ingredients and foods hitting the global and U.S. markets can be attributed to some key factors. One of these factors include rising prominence of the Islamic consumer market – specifically in the realm of food products. Commercially, Europe’s Muslim population is estimated to reach 25 million with a growth of more than 140%, while Asia’s Muslim population is already over 1 billion. Taking account that this also includes some of the world’s fastest growing populations, such as India, China and Pakistan, the halal food market seem to be the next growth trend for many food, pharmaceutical and personal care product companies.
Halal certification trends for the U.S. food market are rising with the global tide. With a population less (estimated by some at 9 million) than most Western countries where Muslims are minorities (10% of France’s total population), American Muslims enjoy a significant higher net income of around $200 billion per annum . An indicator of this burgeoning market segment occurred when Saffron Road Food products (a line of frozen halal prepared meals launched in August 2010) sold out in a number of whole Foods’ stores during the first month of distribution.