Halal Food Report
Traditionally, Many Islamic nations produce most of their own foods or import them from other Muslim countries because of their dietary restriction. With the growing number of Muslim population around the world, there is an increasing demand for Halal-certified suppliers from Non-Muslim countries. In response to this increasing demand, new suppliers have emerged in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Thailand, and the United States.
Domestic market:
The Muslim communities in Argentina consist of 700,000 active members, representing about 2% of the national population. Of this total, 160,000 people live in and around the federal capital and the rest are scattered throughout the country. There is significant concentration of Muslim population in the city of Cordoba, Mendoza, Tucuman, and Rosario. In relation to the doctrinal affiliation, the majority is Sunni, but there is also a substantial number of Shiites, mostly of Lebanese origin.
Many Muslims in Argentina prefer to eat Kosher products rather than consuming “Haram” or unlawful food. Perhaps, the availability of Kosher products in most of the local stores as well as similar method of preparation to Halal food influence this decision. The market for Kosher products in Argentina is significantly larger than Halal products due to the fact that Argentina has the second largest Jewish population outside of Israel, trailing only to the United States. Despite a small domestic demand of Halal food, local entrepreneurs choose to invest in Halal rather than Kosher food production because it requires less investment and fewer changes in manufacturing process.
Today, there are two main restaurants in the city: "Baraka" and "Alhambra", and an Eastern bakery names "La Esquina del Fatay” that specialize in Halal food. These restaurants and bakery are located in the districts of Flores and San Cristobal where Muslim communities are concentrated. The district with the highest Muslims concentration is Flores, which is predominantly Shiites. The Sufis, a more conservative with stricter adherence to Halal customs, are also represented in these two districts.
Exports:
Argentina, as a world leading producer and exporter of food par excellence, is one of the leading exporters of Halal food in the region. Despite the outbreak of food-and mouth disease (fiebre aftosa del ganado) in the Northern part of the country as well as the restriction on the export of meat imposed by the government, Argentina was able tomaintain its export of Halal food through the rebranding process of some European companies. Recently, there are increasing numbers of European companies from Holland, Ireland, and Denmark that purchase Halal products from Argentina and sell them under European brands in other countries.
Most local production of Halal foods is for export. The main exports of Halal products from Argentina are beef, poultry, lamb, gelatin, and soya-lecithin, while the main markets for these products are Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Algeria.
Main Markets for Argentine Exports of Halal Products Ranked by Region
|
Ranking
|
Region
|
Countries
|
|
1
|
Persian Gulf
|
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, and U.A.E.
|
|
2
|
Europe
|
France, Germany, United Kingdom
|
|
3
|
Africa
|
Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey
|
|
4
|
Asia
|
Thailand
|
Source: the Islamic Center of Argentina (C.I.R.A.)
According to the Islamic Center of Argentina (C.I.R.A.), Thailand is the only main market for Argentine Exports of Halal products in Asia. Thailand imports mostly gelatin, poultry, and beef from Argentina.
Argentina, along with Brazil and Ireland are the leading global providers of Halal beef. Halal beef exports account for 15% of all beef exported by Argentina. According to the NOSIS data based on Argentina Customs, Halal beef export in 2001 valued at 30 million dollars. After the depreciation of the peso, there was a tremendous increase in Halal beef export to major Arab countries. Between 2002 and 2004, the export of Halal beef increased by more than 100%, from $ 70 million to over $ 160 million dollars. Most popular Argentine cuts of beef to the Islamic market are brisket, chuck roast, square cut chuck, fore shin, boneless prime rib, 7-bone steak, round steak, flank steak, and neck and sticking. Like all perishable shipments, the export of Halal beef is in refrigerated containers maintained at a temperature of - 18 degrees per 25 tons.
In regard to poultry, Arab countries prefer only white meat without excess fat limited to only 800 and 1,300 grams. As there is no domestic demand for this product, everything is exported. Currently, the demand for Halal poultry is increasing as a result of the outbreak of avian influenza in Southeast Asian countries. There is a growing interest among local entrepreneurs to increase the production of Halal poultry.
Generally, the main challenge facing Argentine exporters is the cultural differences; either due to ignorance of the customs or language of the Arab countries. This difficulty can be addressed through the consultation with C.I.R.A who provides assistance and recommendation about the necessary requirement for exporting products to Muslim countries.
Argentine Exporters of Halal Products
|
1
|
AGROPATAGONICO
|
30
|
FRIGORIFICO FEDERAL
|
59
|
PALADINI
|
|
2
|
AMALAYA
|
31
|
FRIGORIFICO PENTA
|
60
|
PAMPA NATURAL
|
|
3
|
ARENALES
|
32
|
FRIGORIFICO YAGUANÉ
|
61
|
PB LEINER
|
|
4
|
ARGENTINE BREEDERS AND PACKERS
|
33
|
FRIMSA
|
62
|
PRODUCTOS DE CAMPO SRL
|
|
5
|
ARREBEEF
|
34
|
GEORGALOS
|
63
|
QUICKFOOD
|
|
6
|
AVEX
|
35
|
GORINA
|
64
|
RAFAELA ALIMENTOS
|
|
7
|
BOVINOS DEL SUR
|
36
|
GRANJA TRES ARROYOS
|
65
|
RASIC
|
|
8
|
BUNGE
|
37
|
GRUPO MOTTA
|
66
|
RECREO
|
|
9
|
CABAÑA EL RESPIRO
|
38
|
HONEYMAX
|
67
|
RIOPLATENSE
|
|
10
|
CAMPO DEL TESORO
|
39
|
INOVATECH
|
68
|
ROUSSELOT
|
|
11
|
CANASIA ARGENTINA
|
40
|
JBS
|
69
|
RUNFO
|
|
12
|
CASEPA
|
41
|
LA GANADERA ARENALES
|
70
|
SANTA HELENA ALIMENTOS
|
|
13
|
CAYCE
|
42
|
LÁCTEOS MANFREY
|
71
|
SAPUTO - MOLFINO
|
|
14
|
CIADASA
|
43
|
LAFAYETTE
|
72
|
SOYCHU
|
|
15
|
CIRIBE
|
44
|
LAS HERAS
|
73
|
SWIFT ARMOUR SA ARGENTINA
|
|
16
|
COLMENARES DEL PRAT
|
45
|
LATIGO
|
74
|
TARCOL
|
|
17
|
COMPAÑÍA ITALO ARGENTINA DE ALIMENTOS
|
46
|
LAWACALOC S.A. - FRIG. EL BAHIENSE
|
75
|
TARCOL
|
|
18
|
CONSIGNACIONES RURALES
|
47
|
LIMINAL
|
76
|
THE SOLAE COMPANY
|
|
19
|
COOPERATIVA DE LA GARMA
|
48
|
MACELLARIUS
|
77
|
TOLOSA
|
|
20
|
COOPERATIVA TRENTO CHAQUEÑA
|
49
|
MASILY
|
78
|
TOP MEAT
|
|
21
|
DOMVIL
|
50
|
MATTIEVICH
|
79
|
YAGUANE
|
|
22
|
ESTANCIA LA ELISA
|
51
|
MC CAIN
|
80
|
YOCLE
|
|
23
|
ESTANCIAS LA PATAGONIA
|
52
|
MILKAUT
|
|
|
|
24
|
EXPORTACIONES AGROINDUSTRIALES ARGENTINAS
|
53
|
MIRAB
|
|
|
|
25
|
FAIMALI
|
54
|
MORRONE
|
|
|
|
26
|
FARMESA
|
55
|
NOAL
|
|
|
|
27
|
FELLER
|
56
|
NOELMA
|
|
|
|
28
|
FENIX
|
57
|
ORENAIKE
|
|
|
|
29
|
FRIAR
|
58
|
OVOPROT
|
|
|
Source: the Islamic Center of Argentina (C.I.R.A.)
Manufacturing Companies Classified by Products
|
Products
|
Companies
|
|
AVIAR MEAT
|
AVEX – GRANJA TRES ARROYOS – SOYCHU – RASIC - NOELMA
|
|
BEEF
|
JBS SWIFT – QUICKFOOD - MATTIEVICH – ARREBEEF – GORINA – RIOPLATENSE – -PALADINI – RECREO
|
|
GELATIN
|
ROUSSELOT – PBLEINER
|
|
SHEEP MEAT
|
AGROPATAGONICO – ORENAIKE – AMALAYA – FAIMALI – MONTECARLO
|
|
CEREAL BARS
|
AMS FOOD INTERNATIONAL
|
|
HAMBURGERS
|
JBS – CAMPO DEL TESORO
|
|
MILK AND DERIVATIVES
|
MILKAUT – INOVATECH – MOLFINO SAPUTO
|
|
SOY AND DERIVATIVES
|
BUNGE
|
|
HONEY
|
COLMENARES DEL PRAT – HONEYMAX – MIEL CETA
|
Source: the Islamic Center of Argentina (C.I.R.A.)
Imports:
Import of Halal foods is very limited due to a small domestic demand. Argentina imports Halal foods mainly from Lebanon. Local importers travel to the country of origin and buy the products directly from the exporters, thus eliminating the cost of the middle man. Most of the importers are of Lebanese descent. Most of the imported products are canned goods consist of mashed chickpeas, mashed eggplant,beans, dried fruits, juices, and fig-leaves.
Islamic Center of Argentina:
Today the only institution that authorized to issue Halal certification in Argentina is the Islamic Center of Argentina (C.I.R.A.). Since 1932, The C.I.R.A is the main institution that represents all Muslims who live in Argentina and acted as a liaison between the Muslim communities and the National Government. Subsequently, it is in charge of all relationship between the Muslim communities and foreign representatives. The center is also associated with other major Islamic organizations in Argentina such as Mosque Al-Ahmad and the College Argentine Arabic Omar Bin Al Jattab.
Within the C.I.R.A., there is a Department of Halal food whose duties are to inspect the manufacturing process in accordance with the Islamic customs and give Halal certification for all products that compliance with the requirement. As the term Halal means “lawful” or “healthy,” all Halal foods must compliance with the prescription set by Islamic laws. According to C.I.R.A, some of these requirements are as follows:
- Halal products must be free of any substance or ingredient considered to be “Haram” (or unlawful), and any component that originated from a forbidden animal.
- Food and drinks must be prepared and packaged using tools or machineries in accordance with Islamic laws and relevant food standards.
- There must be no contact with prohibited substances at any point in the production chain.
- The sacrifice of animals is to be made according to the guideline of Islamic laws.
Regarding with the slaughtering of animals for Halal meat, the killing is conducted by a specialized company recognized and authorized by C.I.R.A in the slaughterhouses. The only company in Argentina that authorized to do this activity is the Halal Catering Argentina. In addition, SENASA (National Agrarian Health Service), through its team of veterinarians, will control the sanitary aspects of meat and viscera to determine their health status after the animal is killed according to the ritual. SENASA is also responsible for inspecting the transportation of the products to the port. To qualify for Halal refrigerated meat, it must be registered with SENASA and must have the authorization to export. An application is required and after clearance is granted, it will be audited once again by C.I.R.A. Today there are seven plants authorized by C.I.R.A to produce Halal meat. They are located in the provinces of Cordoba, San Luis, Santa Fe, and Buenos Aires.
Joint Cooperation with C.I.R.A.:
C.I.R.A. has various agreements signed with Argentine state agencies, including the Argentine Institute of Standardization and Certification (IRAM) and the National Institute of Industrial Technology (INTI). The former has an agreement to conduct audits, inspection, and food sampling for the issuance of Halal certification. The latter has signed an agreement of cooperation to perform various activities in a coordinated manner to ensure the quality of Halal products, backed by a joint certification in the voluntary sphere.
In addition, C.I.R.A. has a mutual recognition agreement with Islamic Center of Chile and Halal Institute of Spain. This agreement allows the members to assist each other in securing compliance with Halal food regulations of each respective countries in which provides a greater market opportunity for their products. During the Embassy’s visit to C.I.R.A., Mr. Pablo Tesouro, Director of Department of Halal food, is also interested to have a similar agreement with the concerned Thai authority. Mr. Tesouro is aware that Thailand is one of the leading exporters of Halal food in Asia. He believes the dual certification would enhance the international prestige as well as competitiveness of Thai and Argentine Halal food industries. The cooperation between C.I.R.A and Thai counterpart would result in a more efficient and streamlined capture of market share in what is clearly a growing market with great potential as demonstrated by the continuous increase of demand even in the time of economic crisis.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Sources:
- Mr. Pablo Tesouro, Director of Department of Halal Food, Islamic Center of Argentina (C.I.R.A.)
- Mr. Jose Kehaike, Halal Food Inspector, Islamic Center of Argentina (C.I.R.A.)
- “Halal: Alimentos bajo la luna creciente.” By Mr. Alim. Juan Manuel Alderete, Department of Food Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery www.alimentosargentinos.gov.ar
- Mr. Mayed Mohanna, Lebanese Muslim Businessman.
