Halal Meat Facts
Halal, meaning permitted, forms part of the Tayyib (good, pure and wholesome) and is an important part of a growing global market. Halal adds value to the sheep sector in particular and represents an opportunity for the cattle sector. Information on the following pages illustrates the size of the market and how AHDB Beef and Lamb is supporting the sector to maximise opportunities in the UK and overseas.
Dr Phil Hadley AHDB Beef and Lamb head of supply chain business development
Halal is a way of life for the UK’s Muslim population, which represents 2.7 million or 4.8% of the total population – up from 3% in 2001.* Half of this demographic is under 25. By 2030, the UK Muslim population is expected to rise to 5.5 million people or 8.2% of the total population.** * UK Census 2011 ** Pew Research Center: The Future of the Global Muslim Population, 2011
Sheep meat is a primary protein choice for Muslim consumers. Independent Halal butchers’ shops are the most popular outlets for the purchase of Halal meat with 60% of Muslim consumers - based on trust, religious compliance and quality.*
* EBLEX consumer research
The core Halal economy is made up of a growing number of elements, including food, finance, beverages, fashion, cosmetics and tourism. It has been reported that the World Halal Forum estimates sales of all types of Halal food combined totalled ÂŁ2.6 billion in Britain in 2011.
France is the UK’s largest export market for sheep meat, with 53,800 tonnes exported there in 2013.* With a population of 4.7 million Muslims, France represents a significant market opportunity.**
* EBLEX UK Yearbook 2014 ** Pew Research Center: 5 facts about the Muslim population in Europe, January 15, 2015
The UK exports 35% of its sheep meat production. Europe’s Muslim population is expected to grow from 6% in 2010 to 8% in 2030.* The European market presents a potential 15.4 million Muslim customers.
* Pew Research Center: The Future of the Global Muslim Population, 2011
Muslims consume approximately 20% of all the sheep meat sold in England, together with an increasing amount of beef.* Consumption peaks around the Eid and Ramadan festivals. The most popular products are lamb chops, followed by leg, shoulder and mince. * The Halal meat market: Specialist supply chain structures and consumer purchase and consumption profiles in England, EBLEX, 2010
AHDB Beef and Lamb continues to support the Halal sector with a number of tailored trade and consumer marketing initiatives. These include a Lamb Cutting Guide for the Halal market and a CD with over 100 lamb cutting specifications utilising the whole carcase.
AHDB Beef and Lamb has produced beef and lamb posters illustrating many traditional Halal cuts and indicating which part of the carcase they originate from. The sector also benefits from wider work on lamb promotion carried out by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
AHDB Beef and Lamb, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2TL T: 024 7669 2051 W: beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk AHDB Beef and Lamb is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Š Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board 2015. All rights reserved.