Our Food & Agro team is witnessing strong growth in the halal food market in Europe – the industry is expanding at a CAGR2016-2020 of 13.9%.

European growth drivers:

• More than 40 million Muslims currently live in Europe (excluding Turkey), and the population is forecast to reach 58 million by 2030.
• Halal food is becoming more diverse in terms of product categories, as consumers demand more sophisticated products and also a wider range – the younger generation, especially.
• Non-Muslim consumers are increasingly opting for halal, which they generally perceive to be of a higher quality.
• A number of export opportunities are opening up for canny European suppliers. For example, China is emerging as a promising market, with 23+ million Muslims and a rising middle-class who are demanding more quality proteins. But above all, Africa will be the high growth halal market of the future, due to its brisk economic growth and massive consumer base – there are currently c. 600 million African Muslims.

French market:

• The overall halal market in France (including non-food products) is valued at c. €8 billion, supported by one of Europe’s largest Muslim populations (4.7 million people), and also growth in non-Muslim consumption.
• Multinational tastes are driving growth in new product categories such as halal foie gras, spring rolls, chicken nuggets, ravioli, lasagna, pizza, and baby food. The demand for a wider range of products is high and still relatively unmet in the French market.
• However outside the supermarket chains (who are developing private label halal goods to respond to the large and growing market), the competitive landscape remains widely fragmented, with very few players operating at scale.
• Interestingly, we have started seeing private equity interest. In July, the UK-based Perwyn bought Ambre Délice (owner of French halal brand Isla Délice) from its founders Jean-Daniel and Frederique Hertzog, and fellow private equity firm IDI. And in March, Isatis Capital invested a minority stake in another French halal specialist Oriental Viandes (2017 rev: €65m).