TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Food and Beverage Association (Gapmmi) chairman Adhi S. Lukman said Indonesia had not yet become a leading exporter of halal food products and still lag behind other countries, such as Malaysia.

“Among the top five consumers of halal food, Indonesia is considered the largest. But in the top five exporting countries, Indonesia is not yet listed,” said Adhi in a webinar held by Markplus on Monday, Dec. 7.

Adhi revealed the halal food industry in Indonesia was facing a number of problems, viz. lack of orderly data management and untidy records on product exports. These issues, he added, needed to be addressed in the near future to transform the country into the largest exporter of halal food products.

Adhi also suggested the industry modernize halal products. Should it succeed to have a strong brand, Indonesia will be able to increase exports to global markets, he believed. “Because it is the key to successful development.”

Halal food products boast high potential as their consumption growth increases every year. Gapmmi recorded that the world's population spending on halal food and beverages reached US$1.17 trillion in 2019, up by 3.1 percent compared to the previous year.

Additionally, non-Muslim communities have also become consumers, given that halal foods in the global eyes are considered to meet the standards of quality, cleanliness, and safety. Its yearly consumption also keeps rising in line with the hike in the number of population and gross domestic product (GDP).

“Halal has become a standard and vital to the global food chain. Halal becomes a food value,” said Adhi.

Read: Vice President Wants Indonesia to Be Largest Halal Producer in 2024

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | ANTARA