Doha – Morocco and Russia are strengthening ties in the halal industry through new certification agreements. Tatarstan’s Committee for Halal Standards under the Spiritual Administration of Muslims plans to obtain accreditation in Morocco. This will enable exports of halal products to the North African country.
“On all these countries we submitted applications,” said Tatarstan’s committee chairman Abbas Shlyaposhnikov, referring to Morocco among other countries. “Until the end of this year, we have planned progressive work. We are confidently moving in this direction.”
Morocco continues expanding its global halal footprint. In June 2024, Abderrahim Taibi, director of the Moroccan Institute of Standardization (IMANOR), spoke at the Halal Morocco Forum in Casablanca.
He noted that Morocco and Africa have important potential to increase their share in the global halal market. The global halal market, estimated to exceed $2 trillion, continues to experience steady growth.
During the same forum, IMANOR signed a recognition agreement for the “Halal Morocco” mark with Singapore’s Halal Authority. Notably, Morocco had already inked an agreement in 2020 to export Moroccan halal products to Russia. This adds to Morocco’s growing list of international halal partnerships.
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In a similar pivot toward Asian markets, Morocco’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Jamale Chouaibi, stated in January that Morocco is prepared to assist Vietnam in emerging as a major hub within Southeast Asia’s Islamic-certified goods sector.
Morocco’s halal standards are particularly stringent for imported meat products. By November 2024, the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) had implemented a rigorous control system for imported red meat. The system requires all meat to comply with Islamic slaughter standards.
Only countries passing ONSSA’s risk assessment can export to Morocco. Certifications from authorized religious bodies in exporting countries must confirm compliance with halal requirements.
For Russia, specifically Tatarstan, securing accreditation in Morocco would open new export opportunities. In 2025, Tatarstan aims to increase its halal exports. The region’s total export plan amounts to $15 million, up from $14 million the previous year.
Currently, 250 enterprises in Tatarstan produce halal products, with about 20 of them exporting abroad. Last year, Tatarstan’s Committee for Halal Standards was accredited by the Gulf Accreditation Centre (GAC).
The Russia-Morocco halal cooperation represents part of a broader trend. Both Rabat and Moscow are working to establish themselves as key players in the growing Halal-compliant products sector.
