Greece eyes halal strategy to tap Muslim markets

Greece must adopt a National Halal Strategy to strengthen its agricultural exports and tap into the rapidly growing Muslim consumer market, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Christos Kellas said on Monday.

Speaking at an event organized by the National Association of Agricultural Cooperatives (NAAC), Kellas emphasized the untapped potential of halal-certified Greek products, which combine high quality, strong local identity, and international appeal.

He noted that halal certification could pave the way for greater access to major Muslim markets, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Türkiye.

“Greek agrofood products can gain a new export dynamic through halal certification,” Kellas said, stressing that a unified national strategy is essential for penetrating these high-value markets.

The event marked the launch of a new international collaboration between Mirtec Cyprus Ltd—a subsidiary of Evetam SA, Greece’s national organization for certification and laboratory testing—and the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

This partnership aims to lay the groundwork for a comprehensive Halal Strategy in Greece, aligning the country with global halal certification standards and enabling producers to meet international market demands.

According to data presented during the event, the global halal market exceeds $2.5 trillion annually and continues to grow at a rate of more than 6% per year.

While halal certification is rooted in Islamic practices, it also reflects high standards in food safety, hygiene, and quality—characteristics increasingly demanded in global trade.

The initiative highlights Greece’s ambition to diversify its agricultural export portfolio and seize opportunities in emerging markets with strong growth potential.