In partnership with

👋 Welcome to This Week’s Review!

Welcome to Halal Market Mastery! Each week, we provide expert tips, best practices, and industry developments to help you thrive in the booming trillion-dollar halal market. Let’s dive in!

As dietary preferences shift globally, plant-based creamers and milk alternatives are entering the halal spotlight. From soy to oat, halal-certified non-dairy options are expanding rapidly—meeting the demands of conscious, lactose-intolerant, and vegan consumers.

📊 Fun Fact of the Day:

Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region for plant-based milk, driven by demand for healthier, sustainable, and halal-compliant alternatives. Oat milk alone is expected to grow by over 10% CAGR globally through 2030.

🥛 Why Plant-Based Milk Is a Game Changer for Halal Markets

📈 How to Capitalise on This Trend

• Include plant-based options in your café or product lineup

• Promote both health and halal compliance in marketing

• Partner with suppliers who are halal-certified and forward-thinking

• Educate consumers on the halal status of plant-based milks—don’t assume they know

☕ Featured Brand of the Week: Oatside

About the Brand:
Oatside is a Singapore-born oat milk brand offering barista-quality plant-based beverages. It’s halal-certified, sustainable, and ultra-creamy—perfect for cafés and conscious consumers.

Innovation Highlight:
Their chocolate oat milk is becoming a hit in Southeast Asia, appealing to both Muslim and non-Muslim millennials.

Why It Matters:
Oatside proves that halal can be healthy, cool, and planet-friendly—perfect for brands targeting the next generation of consumers.

📰 Halal Headlines

1. Brunei’s economic diversification draws Singapore investments

   Singaporean companies are increasingly investing in Brunei, particularly in the halal food sector, as part of the country's economic diversification efforts away from oil and gas, with notable examples including Pondok Abang, which has partnered with local firms to expand its market reach.

2. Uzbekistan and Iran sign roadmap for 2025-2027 cooperation

   Uzbekistan and Iran have signed a roadmap for cooperation from 2025 to 2027, including agreements on Halal standards, during an official visit by Uzbekistan's Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov to Iran.

3. Thailand, Bangladesh to launch formal FTA talks by year-end

   Thailand and Bangladesh are set to initiate formal free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations by the end of 2025, with a focus on enhancing trade ties and recognizing Bangladesh's significant potential as a major halal food market.

4. Malaysia: Penang Becomes First State To Establish Halal Industry Development Council

   Penang has established the Penang Halal Industry Development Council (MPIHPP) as the first state initiative in Malaysia to enhance the halal industry, aiming to position the state as a significant hub for halal product production and export.

5. Malaysia must use Asean chair to grow halal exports into 600 million-strong regional market

   Malaysia aims to leverage its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 to enhance halal product exports and tap into the 600 million strong ASEAN market, addressing existing gaps in marketing and product penetration.

6. Laos Launches Halal Certification Project to Boost Exports

   Laos has launched a project to boost local manufacturers' productivity to meet Halal certification standards for exports, with an emphasis on enhancing competitiveness and targeting Muslim markets.

7. Indonesia, Argentina explore reciprocal agricultural exports

   Indonesia and Argentina are collaborating on agricultural exports, with a focus on ensuring that Argentine beef and cattle meet halal certification requirements to satisfy Indonesia's significant Muslim population.

8. PM Anwar Meets Russia's Grand Mufti To Strengthen Malaysia-Russia Islamic Ties

   Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met with Russia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin to strengthen Malaysia-Russia Islamic ties, focusing on cooperation in the halal industry and promoting interfaith harmony among the Muslim communities in both countries.

9. Russian exports of halal products up 82% in 2024 to $380 mln — ministry

   Russian halal product exports are projected to rise by 82% in 2024, reaching $380 million, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran being key consumers.

10. Hanoi builds Halal-friendly future to attract Muslim travelers

    Hanoi is actively developing its Halal tourism industry to attract Muslim travelers, recognising the growth potential in this market segment and aiming to establish a comprehensive Halal-friendly ecosystem by 2030.

11. Philippines: DOT proposes Asean visa to boost tourism

    The Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines has proposed a single-entry ASEAN visa to enhance regional tourism and facilitate easier travel, while also implementing halal-friendly accreditation programs to attract diverse visitor segments.

LAST CALL: Unlock the power of Halal trade between Vietnam & Singapore!

Join the Vietnam–Singapore Halal Trade Seminar 2025, where industry leaders, government officials, and market experts come together to reveal strategies for tapping into the booming Halal economy. From certification insights to cross-border trade hacks, this hybrid event is your gateway to scaling Halal business in Asia.

When: Saturday, 24 May 2025
Where: Hanoi | Singapore | Online (Zoom)

🔍 Explore More Halal Resources

Looking to deepen your knowledge about the halal market or find more engaging content? Check out our various platforms:

1. Halal Market Mastery Newsletters
   For weekly halal market tips, news reports, and insights to keep your business ahead.

2. Halal Practitioner Blog Posts
   Explore in-depth think pieces and market trend analysis to help you navigate the halal economy.

3. Halal Made Simple YouTube Videos
   Enjoy bite-sized, easy-to-understand halal content that’s perfect for beginners or busy professionals.

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day

This is the easiest way for a busy person wanting to learn AI in as little time as possible:

1. Sign up for The Rundown AI newsletter

2. They send you 5-minute email updates on the latest AI news and how to use it

3. You learn how to become 2x more productive by leveraging AI

Sign up to start learning.

📢 Coming Next Week…

We’re exploring Future-Proofing Your Halal Business — discover actionable strategies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving halal economy. From digital transformation to sustainable practices, learn how to build a resilient, forward-thinking halal brand.

📊 We Value Your Feedback!

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how you’ve been enjoying Halal Market Mastery so far:

🚀 Ready to Brew Success with Halal Beverages?

At Halal Practitioner, we help businesses build, certify, and promote halal-compliant products. From formulation to market strategy—we’ve got you covered.

That’s all for this week!

Stay plant-powered, stay halal, and stay ahead!

Best Regards,
Halal Market Mastery Team