Dubai to become hub for global halal food trade
DUBAI – Known for luxury shopping Dubai, a city in the UAE will soon become a hub for the halal food trade.
The International Islamic Food Processors Association (IFPA) has moved its global headquarters from Astana in Kazakhstan to Dubai.
IFPA is an affiliate of the International Organization for Islamic Food Safety (IOFS).
The organization was launched in December 2020 by the founding members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
IOFS Director General Prof. Yerlan A. Baidaulet said Dubai is a trade center and his organization wants to support the market within the OIC.
“Dubai being the hub for trade, especially for the food sector, we intend to support the intra-OIC market and address the challenges that exist from the new headquarters,” he added.
He said that while the Muslim population is growing worldwide, the global halal food market is still dominated by non-OIC countries.
Several member states have large trade deficits in many staple foods and, in many cases, food shortages.
Saleh Lootah, CEO of IFPA, said the relocation of the headquarters to Dubai is a strong signal of solidarity and cooperation.
She said the Dubai office will help pool resources and expertise to ensure the production and distribution of safe, high-quality halal food.
Inaugurating the office, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri said there is a need to improve collective food security on a sustainable basis.
She said her country is committed to strengthening cooperation and capacity building among OIC countries to increase capacity in food security and climate change.
“Not only do we play a pivotal role as a regional center for food trade, but we are committed to strengthening cooperation and capacity building among OIC countries to enhance member states’ capacities in food security and climate change,” she said.
More than 25% of the world’s consumers come from OIC countries.
According to figures, they spent about 15% of the $8 trillion on food in 2021.
However, there is a significant trade deficit in exports, as many of them rely on imports from non-OIC countries for staple foods.
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