MANILA — The Philippines is experiencing a surge in halal-certified businesses, driven by aggressive government initiatives to expand the domestic halal industry and capture a share of the multi-trillion-dollar global market.

While the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic nation where Muslims account for about 10 percent of its 120 million population—mostly concentrated in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, alongside a community of roughly 200,000 in Metro Manila—the country is rapidly positioning itself as a growing player in the global halal economy.

Government Push and Rising Private Sector Interest

Over the past few years, the Philippine government has rolled out nationwide campaigns to double the number of certified halal products and services. Key agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, and the Department of Tourism, have actively championed the sector.

Aleem Guiapal, a Philippine halal policy expert and former head of the DTI’s halal investment promotions and industry development, noted that private sector interest is soaring.

"There are a lot of campaigns and people also see the market niche of halal products," Guiapal said. "And for you to be able to get to that market share, your products need to be halal-certified. So, there is a growing interest from the private sector."

The global halal market was estimated to be worth more than $2.6 trillion in 2024. A major catalyst behind the local boom is the DTI’s drive to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in securing halal credentials, enabling them to target lucrative overseas markets like the Middle East.

Certification Bodies See Record-Breaking Growth

The country currently has at least 12 officially recognized halal-certifying bodies. Among them is Prime Certification and Inspection Asia Pacific (PRIME), the sole body in the Philippines accredited by member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Raymond Anido, PRIME's regional sales manager, pointed out a massive shift in market dynamics. While only 150 companies applied for halal certification between 2018 and 2020, that figure has since quadrupled.

"Based on our updated data, it’s now 600 plus companies. When it comes to products, more than a thousand," Anido said, noting that the applicants span primarily food and cosmetics. "Unlike two or three years ago, when we were the ones reaching out to the companies, they are now the ones who are inquiring."

A similar trajectory is reported by the Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines (HICCIP). From an average of just 18 clients per year between its establishment in 2013 and 2021, HICCIP’s client list surged by 168 percent to 71 in total in 2024. That number more than doubled to 158 in 2025, covering restaurants, hotels, food and beverage, and cosmetics.

"Most of our clients, we observed that they want to export their products," said HICCIP CEO Alex Sultan. "To export their product to the Middle East because the Middle East is the biggest market in the halal industry."

Tourism Gains

The domestic momentum extends beyond exports. In the tourism sector, the Philippines was ranked fifth among non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation destinations by the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, further underscoring the country's growing appeal to Muslim travelers worldwide.

With robust institutional backing, surging private sector inquiry, and expanding international accreditation, the Philippines' halal industry is well-positioned for sustained growth in the years ahead.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]