Growth in Russian Halal Exports to be Driven by Services
Growth in Russian Halal Exports to be Driven by Services
14 May
Growth in exports within the halal segment could be driven by services. However, work on certifying such goods in accordance with the relevant standards is only just beginning. This was announced to journalists at the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” by Dmitry Volvach, Head of the Federal Service for Accreditation (Rosaccreditation), and Abbyas Shlyaposhnikov, Head of the Halal Standard Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan.
The Head of Rosaccreditation reported that Russian halal exports totalled approximately 400 million USD by the end of 2025. The positive trend, compared to the year before last, amounted to around 15%. The bulk of exports consists of food products, such as confectionery. There is also demand for products including pasta. At the same time, however, citizens of Islamic states find a lack of halal spa complexes, accommodation facilities, catering establishments, and other amenities in the Russian Federation.
“This is a vast market and an opportunity to bring Russian brands to global markets, primarily, of course, in the sphere of tourism and hospitality. Thus, we are acting in a certain way and will continue to do so. I would like to see the number of participants in this market grow. At present, the number of entities generating this 400 million USD is small. Among them are several large companies, but I would like to see a certain degree of diversification take place, with more small and medium-sized enterprises among them, so that they can grow to the level of serious global exporters,” Dmitry Volvach said.
According to him, the core halal standards in Russia have been developed and approved, and they comply with global requirements. Plans are in place to prepare a further 9 standards across various spheres of halal infrastructure. “I hope that we will have the full range of standards. But even today, nothing prevents us from increasing export volumes and diversifying the products manufactured in Russia under the halal mark,” Head of Rosaccreditation stated.
Abbyas Shlyaposhnikov stated that the Halal Standard Committee is working towards ensuring that the certificates it issues are recognised in Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. Iran and Pakistan are also in the pipeline. “The CIS countries are also important to us. For instance, Uzbekistan has adopted a law. As for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan: we are working with the former, having been received at government level. Kazakhstan is developing very actively. There are also prerequisites and mutual understanding regarding Tajikistan. Today, we are also interested in “lower” Africa,” Head of the Halal Standard Committee reported.
He added that an interdepartmental working group was established in Tatarstan in December 2025, headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Vasil Shaykhraziev. Among other tasks, it is working on identifying which directions are promising for halal exports. To do this, Abbyas Shlyaposhnikov noted, it is necessary to ascertain where demand exists.
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The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
The Head of Rosaccreditation reported that Russian halal exports totalled approximately 400 million USD by the end of 2025. The positive trend, compared to the year before last, amounted to around 15%. The bulk of exports consists of food products, such as confectionery. There is also demand for products including pasta. At the same time, however, citizens of Islamic states find a lack of halal spa complexes, accommodation facilities, catering establishments, and other amenities in the Russian Federation.
“This is a vast market and an opportunity to bring Russian brands to global markets, primarily, of course, in the sphere of tourism and hospitality. Thus, we are acting in a certain way and will continue to do so. I would like to see the number of participants in this market grow. At present, the number of entities generating this 400 million USD is small. Among them are several large companies, but I would like to see a certain degree of diversification take place, with more small and medium-sized enterprises among them, so that they can grow to the level of serious global exporters,” Dmitry Volvach said.
According to him, the core halal standards in Russia have been developed and approved, and they comply with global requirements. Plans are in place to prepare a further 9 standards across various spheres of halal infrastructure. “I hope that we will have the full range of standards. But even today, nothing prevents us from increasing export volumes and diversifying the products manufactured in Russia under the halal mark,” Head of Rosaccreditation stated.
Abbyas Shlyaposhnikov stated that the Halal Standard Committee is working towards ensuring that the certificates it issues are recognised in Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia. Iran and Pakistan are also in the pipeline. “The CIS countries are also important to us. For instance, Uzbekistan has adopted a law. As for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan: we are working with the former, having been received at government level. Kazakhstan is developing very actively. There are also prerequisites and mutual understanding regarding Tajikistan. Today, we are also interested in “lower” Africa,” Head of the Halal Standard Committee reported.
He added that an interdepartmental working group was established in Tatarstan in December 2025, headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Vasil Shaykhraziev. Among other tasks, it is working on identifying which directions are promising for halal exports. To do this, Abbyas Shlyaposhnikov noted, it is necessary to ascertain where demand exists.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Co-operation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
