Single standard for halal products to be created in EAEU - standardization center head
SAMARA. Oct 4 (Interfax) - A single standard for halal products will be created in the Eurasian Economic Union in the near future, the head of the International Center of Halal Standardization and Certification, Aidar Gazizov, said at the Volga Investment Forum being held in Samara to mark World Halal Day.
"We have the Eurasian Union for Halal Standardization and Certification. In 2012, we established it in Astana [now Nur-Sultan]. We want to give the organization new momentum. Literally a week ago, I met with the supreme mufti of Kazakhstan. In the near future, we'll create a single halal standard within the Eurasian Union," which will allow "tracking products throughout the entire post-Soviet space," Gazizov said.
Russia and the CIS have great potential for the production and export of halal products, he said. "We're constantly talking to colleagues from Arab countries. Since these countries import up to 70-80% of their food products, they really need products from Russia," Gazizov said.
For decades, producers from Brazil, Indonesia, and Australia have been the main suppliers of poultry and red meat to Arab countries. "Recently, buyers have had complaints about the quality [of products being supplied]. Plus, the logistics is long. Russian producers could shorten the logistics several times over. Our products are interesting in terms of price, quality, and logistics. We have a fantastic chance," he said.
According to the International Center of Halal Standardization and Certification, over 200 Russian companies have now undergone certification and announced their intention to begin exporting. More than 20 are already exporting to countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Jordan, and Egypt.