KPMG event highlights opportunities in expanding halal food and drinks market

FOOD and drinks manufacturers are being urged to take advantage of the growth opportunities in the expanding market for halal food and drinks.

The new opportunities for food and drink manufacturers, as well as for farmers and growers, were highlighted at an event hosted by accountancy firm, KPMG at its One Snowhill office in Birmingham.

Dr Mohammad Nazir, OBE, chief executive officer of Brunei Wafirah UK, which manufactures and supplies Halal grocery products under the Brunei Halal brand, was one of the keynote speakers.

The company was formed by the government of Brunei in 2011 as part of its economic diversification strategy.

Birmingham is the European headquarters for the group, which is launching into a European market where there are nearly 45 million Muslim consumers of halal food and drink.

Nazir said: “There is a misconception that halal is just about the method of slaughter but this is not the case.”

“It is a lifestyle choice and relates to all aspects of production including the highest standards of animal welfare and traceability.

“There already exists a substantial and growing market that offers great opportunities for those in the food and drink sector from farmers through to manufacturing and distribution.

“Consumers today want to be assured the products they consume have gone through a rigorous testing process whether religious driven or otherwise. Couple this with the growing demand for halal and a discerning world population, halal is now becoming a staple standard globally.”

Richard Peberdy, a partner at KPMG in Birmingham specialising in the sector, said:  “As the demand for world food increases, local manufacturers, growers and farmers have an opportunity to seize upon these growth opportunities.”

Also speaking at the dinner was Steve Ellis, integration director at 2 Sisters Food Group who described growth opportunities in the food and drink sector through innovation.