Halal market - great opportunity for Lam Dong medicinal herbs and agricultural products

International partners visit Halal-standard artichoke production process at Lam Dong Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company

• HALAL CERTIFICATION - THE DOOR OPENS NEW OPPORTUNITIES

The Halal market (including products produced, processed and distributed according to strict Islamic regulations) with more than 1.8 billion consumers in Muslim countries, is becoming one of the most potential consumer markets for agricultural and medicinal products.

As one of the leading pharmaceutical enterprises in the province, Lam Dong Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (Ladophar) has completed the Halal certification in the first quarter of 2025 for many key product lines, including medicinal capsules, herbal teas and essences from Vietnamese medicinal plants. Mr. Le Tien Thinh - Director of Lam Dong Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company shared: “We have been actively negotiating with partners in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. The goal in 2025 is to increase exports to the Halal market by at least 30%. Currently, Ladophar is also implementing 8 more research and production projects to produce new products that meet Halal standards to serve Muslim customers specifically”. Ladophar is also continuing to invest in international standard quality control processes, combining modern extraction technology to ensure that products not only meet Halal standards but also compete in terms of effectiveness and packaging design.

Another bright spot on the Lam Dong agricultural map is Vien Son Joint Stock Company, a company that has successfully introduced Japanese sweet potato products to the Malaysian and Singaporean markets - countries with extremely strict requirements on criteria for the Halal market. Currently, this company has invested synchronously in a closed control process from cultivation, processing to transportation, ensuring no cross-contamination factors and always complying with the regulations set by its partners. This has brought about remarkable results when the first batches of sweet potatoes have been on the shelves of reputable supermarkets in Malaysia and Singapore.

As for Hoang Nguyen Company Limited, specializing in exporting vegetables, tubers and processed foods, the representative of this unit said that they are currently completing the application for Halal standards and expect to export the first shipment to the Malaysian market in the third quarter of this year. The company is also building a strategic relationship with a partner in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to develop a stable and long-term distribution channel. Famous products of Da Lat such as vegetables, strawberries, artichokes and herbal tea are of particular interest to importers in Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE, Turkey...

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, by 2024, the number of enterprises in Lam Dong that have been granted Halal certification has grown significantly, mainly operating in the field of production and processing of agricultural products such as vegetables, tubers, fruits, various types of tea and passion fruit, with an output of about 19,336 tons/year. These products are mainly exported to Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Halal certification helps products reach the large Muslim consumer market.

• HUGE POTENTIAL FROM HALAL MARKET

To successfully enter the Halal market, Lam Dong enterprises not only need to meet the requirements of quality and Halal certification but also need to implement methodical export strategies. “First, market research is very important. Enterprises need to thoroughly understand the needs, consumption habits and import regulations of each country in the Islamic region. Next, building a network of strategic partners is a decisive factor. Enterprises need to cooperate with distributors and business partners in target markets to promote product consumption. Promotion and branding are also very important to create trust with Muslim consumers,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien - Vice President of Lam Dong Business Association.

However, not stopping at strategic orientation, in recent times, Lam Dong Business Association has coordinated with the Vietnam Private Sector Competitiveness Enhancement Project (IPSC) funded by USAID, inviting experts to share directly with local businesses. Thereby, the business community has had a deeper insight into the potential of the Halal market as well as the specific requirements and standards that need to be met. In particular, the Association has also closely coordinated with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to organize in-depth consultation sessions, inviting experts to provide specific instructions on each step of preparing documents, processes and standards to achieve Halal certification. This helps local businesses minimize risks and save time in the process of market penetration.

Expert Ta Viet Hang - Deputy General Director of HalalTrip Vietnam Joint Stock Company, commented: "The Muslim market is a very potential market, especially many Muslim countries have geographical conditions in the same region as Vietnam such as Malaysia, Indonesia". Ms. Ta Viet Hang recommended that in the coming time, Lam Dong will continue to promote support for businesses to build and grant Halal certification, and expand export markets.

In an increasingly integrated world, entering international markets, especially the Halal market, is a necessary strategy and will bring many long-term benefits to Lam Dong's agricultural and medicinal enterprises. Enterprises need to prepare well from production, Halal certification to building a network of strategic partners to succeed in this potential market.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202505/thi-truong-halal-co-hoi-lon-cho-duoc-lieu-va-nong-san-lam-dong-492135a/