July 29, 2026

 

Philippines and Türkiye to accredit 30 halal production sites in Philippines

 

The Philippines and Türkiye are moving to accredit 30 Philippine halal production facilities, a step that would expand exports of poultry and other food products to the Turkish market and strengthen bilateral trade in the fast-growing global halal industry.

 

Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines Niyazi Evren Akyol confirmed the initiative to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ferdinand Ferrer during a Turkish business mission on July 27, where 12 Turkish poultry and meat companies held business matching sessions with Philippine firms. Philippinesinvestment guide

 

Akyol said Philippine facilities applying for halal accreditation are being prepared for inspection under a joint initiative involving the Departments of Agriculture, Science and Technology and Trade and Industry, in partnership with the private sector. The first batch of accredited exporters is expected to focus on poultry products.

 

He said 30 Philippine facilities have already applied for halal accreditation. Once certified, they will be eligible to export halal products to Türkiye, giving local producers access to a strategic market that also serves as a gateway to Europe and the Mediterranean.

 

"We hope that by the end of the year we can put in place a concrete plan to support our potential halal exports through testing laboratories and certification," Ferrer said.

 

He said that while the Philippines has strong export potential, the domestic halal industry remains relatively small, and certification costs continue to pose a challenge for many producers. Philippinesinvestment guide

 

To further deepen commercial ties, PCCI will lead a Philippine business delegation to Türkiye in November to participate in the World Halal Conference and explore new market opportunities.

 

Ferrer also said the Philippines is developing halal tourism clusters by encouraging hotels, restaurants and other establishments in Makati, as well as selected areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, to locate near one another and provide halal-compliant services for visitors from Muslim-majority countries.

 

"The idea is to establish halal facilities within a one- to two-kilometer radius. We're clustering," he said, adding that Türkiye could become a strategic entry point for Philippine products into Mediterranean markets.

 

Türkiye is also looking to source premium Philippine seafood, including shrimp, prawns, and mussels, to help meet growing domestic demand.

 

Akyol said Türkiye, whose annual global trade exceeds $650 billion, is looking to expand imports of Philippine coconut juice, coconut oil and tropical fruits such as mangoes, avocados and papayas.

 

Bilateral trade between the two countries is valued at about $250 million to $300 million, indicating significant room for growth.

 

- Manila Standard