Demand for halal meat rising sharply in Europe, says British report

The halal meat market in Europe is on a strong growth trajectory, driven by the increase in Muslim populations and a wider presence of these products in supermarkets and catering. This is what emerges from a report published by the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), a British public body responsible for supporting the agricultural and livestock sectors. The study identifies several European markets offering strong opportunities for halal meat exporters, including France, Germany and the Netherlands.

These countries have large Muslim communities. France and Germany each have around 6 million Muslims, while the Netherlands has almost 1.2 million, or around 6 to 7% of the population. According to the report, demand for halal meat remains strong and consistent throughout the year, with consumption peaks during Ramadan and major religious holidays.

The question of trust also plays a central role. Consumers favor products with clear and credible halal certification, with transparent labeling. Many are even willing to pay more to ensure that products meet halal requirements. In France and the Netherlands, purchases are still made mainly in independent halal butchers. But supermarkets are gradually gaining ground, expanding their ranges, particularly in urban areas.

Catering also constitutes an important channel of consumption, between restaurants, fast food and street food. Online orders are also growing, facilitating access to halal products delivered to your home. Despite this growing demand, the report highlights that some distributors prefer to remain discreet about displaying the halal label, due to political sensitivities around the subject.

In total, the three countries studied represent more than 13 million potential Muslim consumers, which explains the growing interest of exporters in these markets. In the Netherlands, where Muslims already represent 6 to 7% of the population, halal is gradually establishing itself as a structured segment of food. Periods like Ramadan further amplify demand, creating significant seasonal peaks for retailers. In this context, the combination of dynamic demographics, a diversifying offering (processed, frozen or ready-to-eat products) and increasingly present distribution in supermarkets confirms that halal is establishing itself sustainably in the European food landscape, even if its visibility sometimes remains politically sensitive.