The Halal Sector In Bosnia And Herzegovina Is Expanding, With More Certifications And A Growing Market!

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country with a population of 3.2 million people, with Muslims constituting more than half of the population.

By promoting and launching the Agency for Halal Quality Certification, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Halal food producers have begun a new approach to increase their competitiveness in Europe and worldwide food markets.

According to Damir Alihodi, one of the agency’s directors, around 15 to 20 firms in Bosnia complete the Halal certification procedure each year. And, according to the agency’s data, 133 businesses have completed the Halal certification process since its establishment in 2006.

Customers’ reactions to certified halal foods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he added, have been quite favorable. As a consequence of the numerous approaches used, several surveys were done. He also believes that Bosnian Muslims who are deeply pious abstain from eating pork.

Vedad Halilovi, president of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Halal Industry Association and export director of AS Holding Corporation, stated that there has been a rise in certified halal firms ranging from food manufacturers to hotels, restaurants, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Furthermore, he adds that the number of Muslim visitors visiting the attractive and mountainous area has increased, mostly from Western Europe and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

According to Halilovi, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s food quality is backed by their own fertile agricultural territory, and their main target markets are European markets.

At the time, the AS Holding Corporation was the country’s leading halal group, competing with nine other export firms. Seven of the businesses are in the manufacturing sector. Despite the fierce competition, the organization has worked tirelessly during the COVID epidemic to ensure that these distributors do not run out of essential necessities such as wheat, salt, and soups. Simultaneously, other Bosnian food exporters are focusing on new and established markets.

The top Bosnian food exporters with halal certificates are Mlijekoprodukt, from Kozarska Dubica, which sells a wide range of dairy products, and Perutnina Ptuj, from Breza and Srbac, which sells chicken products.