Greece Eyes $2.5 Trillion Halal Market with Strategic Certification Push

In today’s globalized food economy, authenticity, quality, and ethical production are increasingly inseparable from commercial success. Greek agrifood producers, celebrated for their olive oil, honey, dairy, seafood, and wine, are discovering that securing Halal and Kosher certifications offers more than spiritual compliance—it provides them with a powerful strategic asset. These religious credentials, once considered niche, have now become mainstream indicators of safety, traceability, and cross-cultural appeal.

Photo: © by Sanin Mirvic/Corella

The significance of Halal and Kosher certification extends well beyond religious communities. Halal, governed by Islamic dietary law, and Kosher, rooted in Jewish tradition, denote rigorous standards at every stage of production standards that resonate strongly with today’s consumers who demand transparency and ethical sourcing. As such, Greek producers aiming to compete in markets across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe must consider these certifications as essential marks of trust.

Recent figures underscore the scale of this shift. The global Halal food market was valued at over $600 billion just a few years ago, and by mid-2025, its scope had expanded further. Deputy Minister Christos Kellas, addressing the National Association of Agricultural Cooperatives, highlighted that the combined global Halal products market now exceeds $2.5 trillion, growing at an annual rate of more than 6 percent—an unmistakable signal of sustained and accelerating demand. Meanwhile, the Kosher food sector remains highly dynamic, with over 3,000 new certified products launched annually and some 400,000 Kosher-labeled items in circulation worldwide.

Greek companies are already responding. Thessaloniki-based Greekexports SMPC has positioned itself as a key facilitator, helping producers align with international standards. Its Halal division, Halal Assurance & Quality Greece, offers assessment and certification for compliance with Islamic law, while its partnership with Balkan Kosher enables access to markets requiring Jewish dietary compliance. CEO Thomas Vassaras notes that demand comes not only from countries with Muslim or Jewish majorities, but also from European multicultural communities and hospitality sectors within Greece—especially in regions like Thessaloniki, Xanthi, and Crete, where religious tourism is on the rise.

Yet individual certifications, while beneficial, are not enough to fully harness potential. Greece currently relies on private certifiers, and the absence of a centralized government-supported system can lead to inconsistent standards and limited recognition abroad. Taking note, Deputy Minister Kellas has called for a unified national Halal strategy, supported by public‑private partnerships, to create transparent and credible certification pathways. A recent collaboration between Mirtec Cyprus—a wing of HellasCert, the national association of accredited certification bodies—and the Saudi Halal Products Development Company, funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, marks a significant step in that direction.

Such a national framework could consolidate Greece’s reputation for high-quality food production with robust export ambitions. Standardized certification would reduce producer confusion, simplify international compliance, and enhance branding in major Muslim markets like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Indonesia, Türkiye, and beyond. In addition to food, the halal-certified tourism market presents a compelling opportunity. Greece could emulate the example of Muslim-friendly destinations that offer certified cuisine and prayer facilities, tapping into affluent travel segments.

Government support is essential. Subsidies for certification, export-focused grants, educational programs for small and medium-sized enterprises, and participation in international halal trade fairs such as Dubai’s Gulfood or Malaysia’s MIHAS would signal Greece’s commitment. Malaysia’s Halal Development Corporation and Thailand’s Halal Science Center offer models worth studying, having successfully integrated government policy, research, certification, and export promotion into cohesive national strategies.

Without coordinated action, Greece risks ceding ground to neighbors who have embraced this reality. Spain and Turkey are already notable competitors, aggressively marketing olive oil, meat, and dairy in Gulf and Southeast Asian markets. Greece, with its comparable agrifood potential, could elevate its offerings by combining national strategy with targeted trade missions and marketing efforts.

Ultimately, the economic upside could be transformative. Analysts estimate that a well-executed Halal strategy may spur annual export growth of 15–20 percent, injecting hundreds of millions into agricultural GDP over a decade. Olive oil, cheese, seafood, herbs, wine (where permissible), cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals all represent sectors that stand to benefit from certified access to the Muslim global consumer base.

Perhaps most significant is the shift in perception. Religious certi­fication is no longer just about spiritual oversight. Halal and Kosher standards now symbolize excellence in hygiene, traceability, and compliance—values that appeal to food regulators, retailers, and conscious consumers alike. For Greek producers, certification is a statement: “We meet the highest standards, in every sense.” As global food culture evolves toward inclusivity, transparency, and sustainability, Greece’s future success may depend on embracing these certifications as passports to new markets—and new understandings.

In the end, Halal and Kosher credentials are not exotic extras but fundamental tools for Greece’s agrifood sector to thrive in the twenty-first century’s diverse and discerning marketplace.