Canadian Honey Council Gains Halal Certification to Expand Market

WINNIPEG — While most Canadians are familiar with halal meat, it’s important to know that other foods like cheese, oat milk, and even candy can also be halal. Recently, the Canadian Honey Council recognized the strategic benefits of obtaining Halal Certification, an Arabic term meaning “lawful” or “permitted,” to expand its market reach into Muslim-majority countries.

Expanding Horizons with Halal Certification

The decision by the Canadian Honey Council and the broader honey industry to pursue Halal Certification is driven by the potential to access new and lucrative markets in Muslim countries. “In the last month or month and a half, Canada got recognized for halal certification in honey,” said Rod Scarlett, executive director of the Canadian Honey Council.

Although the process of certifying honey as halal doesn’t change the product itself, the certification paperwork is crucial. This certification can open doors for Canadian beekeepers, who are in dire need of new buyers due to challenges in established markets.

Opportunities in Southeast Asia

In early April, Scarlett and other leaders in the honey industry traveled to Singapore to attend the FHA Food & Beverage Expo. “I think there are some tremendous opportunities in Southeast Asia,” Scarlett said. Indonesia, with a population of 275 million—more than 80 percent of whom are Muslim—presents a significant market. Similarly, Bangladesh, with a population of 170 million, offers another substantial opportunity.

Market Challenges in Japan and the U.S.

Canada’s honey industry faces difficulties in traditional markets like Japan and the United States. Issues with trace amounts of herbicide in honey have reduced Canadian honey exports to Japan. In the U.S., domestic honey packers are discounting Canadian honey in favor of locally produced alternatives. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report indicates that honey produced on canola in North Dakota is valued at US$1.80 per lb, or C$2.50 per lb, while Canadian honey produced on canola is priced at $1.85 per lb.

These market issues have significantly impacted the prices paid to Canadian beekeepers. In 2022, beekeepers received between $2.75 and $3 per lb for their honey. Now, prices have plummeted to between $1.75 and $2.00 per lb. For a beekeeper producing 500,000 lb of honey, this translates to a loss of $500,000 in revenue compared to 2022.

The Halal Certification for Canadian honey represents a strategic move to counter these market challenges. By tapping into the growing demand for halal products in Muslim-majority countries, Canadian beekeepers can find new markets and stabilize their income. The certification process, though primarily bureaucratic, could be a game-changer for the industry.

The Canadian Honey Council’s proactive approach to securing Halal Certification demonstrates foresight and adaptability in an evolving global market. As halal products continue to gain popularity worldwide, especially in regions with large Muslim populations, the Canadian honey industry stands to benefit from this certification.