Islamic Food Market
The Korean government announced on March 19 that it would double halal food exports by 2017 to at least US$1.23 billion.
For any company doing business in the Islamic food market, a halal certification is essential. It defines the food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics that Muslims are allowed to use according to their law. The Islamic food market reached US$1.088 trillion in 2012, and is estimated to grow to US$1.626 trillion by 2018.
Korea has been rather slow at halal food exports due to the barrier of certification. Approximately 300 certification organizations, different from country to country, are present around the world, and the criteria also depends on how Islamic law is interpreted.
In view of these, the Korean government is going to distribute halal certification guidebooks while setting up public-private cooperation schemes. In addition, dedicated butcheries are to be run for halal food production and processing, and a halal food complex will be established in the National Food Cluster located in Iksan City, North Jeolla Province.