1st Anuga Halal Forum Organized by ICHS Brings Global Market and Expertise Together
The world’s leading trade fair for the food and beverage industry, Anuga, and the Islamic Chamber Halal Services (ICHS), the Halal arm of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), have officially launched the 1st Anuga Halal Forum 2025, marking a milestone in global Halal industry collaboration and growth.
The event, themed “Halal Food: A Global Gateway to Growth,” is exclusively supported by the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) as its Strategic Sponsor. HPDC’s sponsorship reflects its leadership role in advancing the Halal economy across food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, as well as driving innovation, investment, and international cooperation within the Halal value chain.
Held at Koelnmesse’s Congress Center North, the Forum gathered international leaders, investors, regulators, manufacturers, and experts from across the Halal ecosystem for a full day of keynotes, panels, and masterclasses focusing on innovation, certification, market trends, and global partnerships.
A Milestone for the Global Halal Food Industry
Opening the Forum, Mr. Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH, emphasized the significance of this new initiative: “This forum marks an important milestone, not only for Anuga as the world’s largest food and beverage exhibition, but also for the Halal industry as a whole. Together with ICHS, we are creating a new international platform for Halal knowledge, dialogue, and growth.”
Shaping a New Chapter for Global Food Trade
H.E. Mr. Yousef Hassan Khalawi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD), inaugurated the Forum, stating: “We are gathering here for the first time at the Anuga Halal Forum to create a new chapter both for the Halal industry and for the global food market. The Halal market is driven by quality and ethics — values that benefit all consumers, not only Muslims.”
Halal as a Global Economic Engine
Delivering his remarks, H.E. Mr. Fahad Alnuhait, Chief Executive Officer of Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), highlighted the growing impact of the Halal sector: “For the first time, the Halal sectors have been given a dedicated platform within Anuga. This step affirms the growing importance of Halal as a driver for the global economy — connecting communities and shaping international standards for a more sustainable future.”
Driving Innovation and Global Connectivity
The Forum’s success was further reinforced by the support of leading partners from across the Halal ecosystem. The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) joined as the Diamond Sponsor, showcasing its vision to build intelligent industrial environments that enable investment, manufacturing, and infrastructure development for the Halal economy — contributing to economic diversification and global competitiveness.
As Gold Sponsors, BRF, Addoha Poultry, and Fambras Halal brought vital expertise and leadership to the Forum. BRF, one of the world’s largest food producers and exporters, presented its long-standing commitment to quality and sustainability through global Halal operations under brands such as Sadia, Perdigão, and Qualy. Addoha Poultry Company, a leading producer of premium Halal poultry, has underscored its commitment to excellence, food safety, and compliance, supporting the development of a trusted global Halal supply chain. Fambras Halal, Brazil’s first Halal certification body, contributed its decades of experience in auditing, inspection, and certification, reinforcing Latin America’s growing role in the global Halal ecosystem.
Advancing Global Halal Leadership
With Anuga’s international reach and ICHS’s expertise in Halal development, the Forum established a sustainable platform for professionalizing and expanding the Halal market. The agenda focused on unlocking business potential, promoting international standards, and fostering innovation across the food, trade, and certification sectors.
According to Innova Market Insights, Anuga’s Knowledge Partner, Asia currently accounts for over 55% of all Halal product innovations, followed by Africa with 21% — underscoring the segment’s dynamic growth and global relevance.
