Violeta Pomahač, Goran Perčić i Ljiljana Klinger
Episode · #526
HALAL BUSINESS INFO Violeta Pomahač, Goran Perčić i Ljiljana Klinger
Guest Violeta Pomahač, Goran Perčić i Ljiljana KlingerHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
Violeta Pomahač, Goran Perčić i Ljiljana Klinger
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Can a cup of coffee be 'halal'? For many producers, the question isn't about the drink itself, but about the market it opens. This episode explores the strategic value of halal certification with three Croatian businesses from diverse sectors: Violeta Pomahač, brand manager for coffee producer Ana Maria; Goran Perčić, sales manager for Terme Sveti Martin spa and resort; and Ljiljana Klinger, director of Matija Gubec Primary School. They discuss how a certification often perceived as niche has become a key to expanding consumer bases, attracting international clients, and refining operational standards. Readers will consider how embracing specific cultural or religious standards can surprisingly broaden commercial reach.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Ana Maria's 2014 decision to get halal certification for coffee wasn't driven by the product's ingredients, but by market demand, especially for export. For many international markets, the guest notes, it's simply a "must-have" standard. Certification can be a prerequisite for market access, even for products not inherently linked to religious dietary laws.
02
Terme Sveti Martin saw a significant increase in football teams from the Arab world after obtaining halal certification in 2017. While they hosted teams before, the certification made them a preferred destination, turning an informal client base into a dedicated, growing segment. Sometimes, formalizing a standard you already meet informally is the trigger for market expansion.
03
The operational changes required for halal certification were not extensive for either Ana Maria or Terme Sveti Martin. For the coffee producer, it meant separate storage for non-halal raw materials and refined production procedures; for the resort, it involved dedicating one of their two kitchens to halal food preparation. Often, adapting to new standards is less about wholesale transformation and more about disciplined segregation and process refinement.
04
After certification, Ana Maria observed an immediate expansion of their consumer base in Croatia and successfully entered regional private-label markets in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. The initial commercial benefits of a new certification can be found in domestic consumer trust and immediate regional opportunities, rather than solely in distant export markets.
05
Terme Sveti Martin regularly accommodates sports teams that bring their own chefs and even specific spices due to local unavailability. The resort adapted well, viewing it as a normal part of operations. Meeting specific client needs doesn't always require providing everything in-house; sometimes, it means enabling clients to bring their own specialized resources.