Halal Business Info
Episode · #341
PREDSTAVLJAMO Halal Business Info
Guest Halal Business InfoHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
Halal Business Info
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
The global Halal market, valued at $3 trillion and serving nearly 2 billion users, is not just growing — it accelerated through the pandemic. This isn't a niche; it's a significant economic force that many businesses in Europe are only beginning to understand. Dr. Aldin Dugonjić, head of the Center for Halal Quality Certification, explains how this standard, once primarily associated with food, now encompasses diverse sectors from education to eco-disinfectants. You will hear how companies are using Halal certification to unlock new export markets and why it's becoming a crucial differentiator for quality and ethical standards in a competitive global economy.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Pre-pandemic research among Croatian Halal-certified producers showed export growth, increased revenue, and profit, with the pandemic accelerating global demand. Halal certification isn't merely a compliance step; it's a measurable economic accelerator, proven to boost exports and revenue even before global demand surges amplified its effect.
02
The global Halal market is valued at $3 trillion, serves nearly 2 billion users, and grew 4.47% annually even during the pandemic. The sheer scale and resilience of the Halal market, sustaining significant growth through global disruptions, demonstrate its position as a central economic force, not a niche segment.
03
Halal certificates have been issued to 84 companies, including food producers, service providers, an elementary school, and a disinfectant manufacturer. The breadth of Halal certification, extending from food to education and hygiene products, indicates its function as a universal quality and ethical standard rather than a narrow dietary label.
04
Ruža Slivar of Studio nine notes that for her alcohol-free, biodegradable Magic Cleaner, the Halal certificate "will only enable us easier entry into markets like the Middle East." When a product already aligns with core Halal principles (e.g., alcohol-free, ethical ingredients), certification acts as a market passport, streamlining access to regions where those standards are paramount.
05
Antonio Čulina of Genox described a two-year process for their eco-disinfectant, noting that certifiers "wanted to see what kind of people we are." Halal certification is a rigorous, multi-year validation that extends beyond product composition to scrutinize a company's entire ethical and operational framework, making it a deep trust signal.
06
Čulina believes many Croatian firms, unlike large players like Podravka, haven't fully recognized the significance, arguing "we need to focus on agriculture, eco-production, and all certifications including Halal." Local businesses often underestimate the strategic value of Halal certification, missing its potential to position domestic, eco-conscious agriculture and tourism for broader international export.
07
Ivana Babić Đordan of Tami craft sought Halal, Kosher, and Eco certifications for her hazelnut products "to stand out from the sea of providers." For smaller enterprises in competitive sectors, stacking multiple ethical and quality certifications becomes a deliberate strategy, carving out market differentiation by signalling comprehensive adherence to diverse standards.
08
Đordan details her production: "60% production/processing, 40% cleaning and administration." Machines are cleaned daily, and breaks for cleaning occur between processing steps. Achieving Halal certification for food products fundamentally embeds meticulous hygiene and operational discipline into daily workflows, transforming rigorous sanitation into an integral part of production.
09
Halal tourism is growing, with destinations adapting services in Croatia and the wider region. The increasing adaptation of tourist services to Halal requirements reflects a broader industry recognition of a significant demographic's purchasing power and specific needs, moving beyond generalized offerings.
10
The EU Halal market is valued at $66 billion, growing 2-3% annually, with many EU products (eggs, bakery, disinfectants, tourism) certified for domestic and export needs. The substantial and growing Halal market within the European Union itself indicates that it's not solely an export opportunity to distant markets, but a significant and expanding domestic consumer base for diverse products and services.