Episode · #609

HALAL BUSINESS INFO HBF CROATIA 2023

Hosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The global halal market is projected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2028, a figure that often surprises those outside its orbit. This isn't just about food; it encompasses tourism, finance, cosmetics, and medicine, creating a vast and rapidly expanding economic ecosystem. But beyond the sheer scale, what does it take for a country, or even a single business, to meaningfully participate? This episode takes you inside the Halal Business Forum in Croatia, a gathering of experts and entrepreneurs actively shaping this market. You will hear from the leaders defining halal standards, charting economic growth, and even grappling with the media landscape surrounding it. Their insights reveal how a nation can use specific certifications and strategic partnerships to become a significant player in a market valued at hundreds of billions of euros in food exports alone. You will come away understanding not just the potential of the halal economy, but the specific, often overlooked, levers that drive its expansion—from national strategy and educational gaps to the unexpected role of media consumption in shaping its public image.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Croatia's annual halal food production reaches 126,866 tons, generating €23.415 million in export value. This specific output demonstrates that a focused certification strategy can carve out a substantial export niche in a specialized global market, even for a country not traditionally known for it.

The broader halal market for products alone, excluding tourism, finance, or cosmetics, is estimated at €667 billion. This figure reveals a market opportunity so vast that it dwarfs many national export economies, suggesting that even small percentages of market share represent significant revenue for those who enter it.

Mufti Aziz Hasanović states that one of the core goals of the Halal Quality Certification Center is to raise awareness that "halal is synonymous with healthy." Positioning a faith-based standard as a universal health standard broadens its appeal far beyond its original demographic, turning a niche requirement into a mainstream consumer benefit.

Only Croatia and Austria have officially registered halal standards within the European Union, leading to issues with self-declared products and unregulated imports. Being an early mover in official standardization within a rapidly growing market creates a significant competitive advantage, but also highlights the critical need for regulatory frameworks to protect market integrity and consumer trust.

Aldin Dugonjić points out that halal is "not present anywhere" in higher education curricula. The absence of academic programs dedicated to a multi-trillion-dollar global economy creates a bottleneck for future expertise and innovation, leaving businesses to develop talent in-house rather than drawing from a trained workforce.

Amer Bukvić highlights that consumption in the Islamic economy grew 9% year-over-year, reaching $1.27 trillion in food alone, despite global uncertainties. This sustained growth rate, particularly in core sectors like food, signals a resilient and expanding consumer base that defies broader economic downturns, making it a stable target for strategic investment.

Ihsan Obut emphasizes that standards are the "key pillars" of the dynamic halal industry, ensuring quality, safety, and success. In a global market built on trust and religious adherence, universally adopted standards are not merely about compliance; they are the fundamental infrastructure for facilitating international trade and building brand credibility.

Edhem Fočo observes that "media only report reality," and people "complain about content but consume the most-read and most-watched" negative content. The media landscape often reflects societal demand rather than dictating it, suggesting that public discourse around "bad content" frequently overlooks the public's own consumption patterns.

Fočo also notes that "today, unfortunately, everyone has the opportunity to have their own medium through social networks." The democratization of publishing, while enabling broader participation, has simultaneously diluted traditional gatekeeping, making it harder to distinguish credible information and enforce ethical standards in public communication.

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ScenariosBusiness challenges CardsEducational cards TimelineTopic evolution