HALAL BUSINESS INFO Aldin Dugonjić

Guest Aldin DugonjićHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026

Aldin Dugonjić

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The global Halal market is not just growing; it's proving remarkably resilient against economic downturns and attracting significant investment, particularly from the Middle East. Aldin Dugonjić, head of the Center for Halal Quality Certification, explains that this isn't merely about religious compliance, but a strategic move for businesses seeking new markets and deeper consumer trust. He details the tangible benefits—from substantial export growth to attracting new tourism segments—and outlines the practical process for companies in Croatia to tap into this expanding global economy. The conversation explores how a certification, often seen through a narrow lens, actually opens doors to entirely new commercial possibilities, changing how businesses think about their product's reach and inherent value.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

More than 95% of manufacturers seek Halal certification for export, while service businesses like tourism use it to attract new guests. The certificate is not just a compliance badge; it's a strategic tool for market expansion, opening doors to specific international consumer bases.

Even as projections warn of stagflation, the Halal market has proven resilient against economic crises, growing 'enormously' year after year. This stability suggests it's not a niche market, but a persistent and expanding economy where businesses can find consistent demand.

Halal certification is not a one-time approval but a three-year commitment with annual checks on product ingredients and health safety. This ongoing verification turns the certificate into an active guarantee of quality, building deeper consumer trust.

The entire Halal certification process is 95% digitized, guiding companies from initial inquiry to final audit through a software system. This digital streamlining makes a complex compliance journey more accessible and efficient, removing common barriers to market entry.

Products containing alcohol, pork, or specific animals like frogs or predatory birds are automatically excluded from Halal certification. This strict adherence to core principles means the standard is not universally applicable, but rather defines a precise boundary of acceptable ingredients and practices.

Companies report varying export increases after Halal certification, with some seeing over 50% growth, while others achieve 5-10%. This range shows that while not a magic bullet, the certificate often translates into substantial, measurable commercial gains, validating its strategic purpose.

Saudi Arabia's 'enormous demand' for red meat, driven by four to five major development projects like the NEOM smart city, signals a concentrated opportunity. Businesses should align their export strategies with such specific regional needs, targeting product categories with immediate, high-volume growth potential.

The Halal certification committee requires a religious authority, a food technologist, and a legal expert. This multi-disciplinary composition ensures the standard is not just theologically sound but also scientifically sound and legally compliant, building broad credibility.

With 106 issued Halal certificates in Croatia and ten more companies currently in the process, the market is not a theoretical opportunity but a steadily expanding reality. This consistent growth signals a broader acceptance and commercial viability for Halal products and services among local enterprises.

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