MANILA — The Philippines is looking to expand the sale of its Halal-certified products to the United States, South Korea and Turkey this year to double its revenue from this market segment, an official from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Tuesday.

In 2024, the Philippines generated P7.9 billion in revenue from the sale of Halal produces in the international market, particularly in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and in the United Arab Emirates, said Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal, Program Manager of the DTI’s Halal Development and Trade Office.

“Maghahanda tayo for 2025, we get the expansion of our expo."

“For 2025 we are going to expand to the US, Korea and Turkey or Istanbul,” he told state television PTV.

“If we cover those countries, we hope na ma-double yung trade and revenue sales natin for 2024,” he said.

Among the most sellable Halal-items from the Philippines are seafoods, pre-packed foods, coconut products, as well we skincare products, the DTI official said.

“Maganda yung produkto natin sa skincare kasi they are vegetarian base so tangkilik na tangkilik ng ating mga consumers abroad,” he said.

“May mga produkto na nagtransition from non-Middle East market to Middle East market so they transitioned to Halal-certified,” he said.

Meantime, the Philippines also needs to develop its Halal meat industry for the local market as the country continues to export these goods despite being the third largest Muslim country in Southeast Asia, Guiapal said.

“Sa ngayon po nag-iimport tayo ng Halal meat and poultry kasi kinukulang yung ating local supply so we really want to give attention to that especially for the domestic market,” he said, noting that the Philippines’ Halal imports amount to some $120 million.

The Marcos Jr. administration earlier opened its National Halal Industry Development Office (NHIDO) under the DTI to tap into the Halal market that is expected to reach some $4 trillion by 2028.

The Philippines’ Department of Tourism has also boosted efforts to open Halal destinations in Boracay and other areas to lure more Muslim tourists and spenders to the country.