International trade has contributed immensely to the current UK meat consumption share. In 2015, the total value of meat traded globally was estimated to be $112.5 (£88.5) billion, and the UK, being a meat importer, made up for a significant share of the trade (Poppy et al. 2019, p. 571). At the same time, the consumption of halal meat has been growing in the UK at a higher pace than the growth of the Muslim community in the country (Lever and De La Bellacasa 2010). The paper answers how an individual or organization can enter the halal meat industry in the UK and how they will get the meat into the markets once it is in the country.
It is important to note that an individual can enter the halal meat market in the UK in several ways. However, The first step is getting certification and understanding the market’s infrastructure. Both certification and infrastructure are critical for businesses that target unique consumers like Muslims and specific areas where halal meat is consumed. Certification has a critical role for any business or individual entering the UK halal market as it ensures compliance with Islamic laws and assures the consumers that the product has gone through the acceptable standards of the Islamic religion and culture. This is because there have been cases of trading illegal halal meat in the country, theft of animals, and mislabeling or adulteration of food products in the country (McElwee et al. 2017, p. 166). In other words, getting certification ensures the person or business entering the industry is not engaging in these illegal activities.
After getting the certification, one can directly export meat into the industry. Due to the rising number of consumers of halal meat in the country, a business operator can now export directly into the market they have selected. For example, several outlets in London deal with halal meat, and an individual can contact and organize transportation for the halal product into the city. Relatedly, one can enter the halal meat sector through partnerships. Once a business partners with local dealers, importing meat from foreign countries in Asia or elsewhere becomes easier. It is worth noting that most Islamic business deals are based on “who someone knows” more than other ways of doing business (Ahmed 2008, p. 657). This means partnering with the people one knows will be crucial for a business that plans to enter the halal market in the UK.
Once in the UK, meat can be easily distributed to the markets. Countries, including the United Kingdom and France, have set recognizable halal meat markets (Lever and Miele 2012, p. 529). For example, the UK has the IMS of Smithfield, which runs an accredited and segregated halal poultry and meat processing division that supplies these products throughout the country. One can, therefore, communicate with such vendors, who will then distribute the meat on their behalf. Agreements made on licensing (allowing the local suppliers to do the marketing and distribution) have been used when foreign businesses want to establish themselves in global markets (Bond and Saggi 2014, p. 218). At the same time, most restaurant chains and fast-food joints in the country offer halal meat. One can directly market their products and get orders from these restaurants and joints if they offer halal foods, not haram.
Conclusion
There are several ways one can enter halal meat in the UK. However, Certification is considered one of the initial ways to obtain certificates to enter the market, showing that one is dealing with halal and not haram meat. After obtaining the certification, people can directly export the meat into the market. There has been a rise in consumption of this meat, making it easier for meat importers to distribute the product in the country. Besides, several outlets and accredited suppliers have played an important part in the entrance and distribution of halal meat into the UK markets.
References
Ahmed, A., 2008. Marketing of halal meat in the United Kingdom: Supermarkets versus local shops. British Food Journal, 110(7), pp.655-670.
Bond, E.W. and Saggi, K., 2014. Compulsory licensing, price controls, and access to patented foreign products. Journal of Development Economics, 109, pp.217-228.
Lever, J. and Miele, M., 2012. The growth of halal meat markets in Europe: An exploration of the supply side theory of religion. Journal of Rural Studies, 28(4), pp.528-537.
Lever, J. and De La Bellacasa, M.P., 2010. The development of halal and kosher meat markets in the UK.
McElwee, G., Smith, R. and Lever, J., 2017. Illegal activity in the UK halal (sheep) supply chain: Towards greater understanding. Food Policy, 69, pp.166-175.
Poppy, G.M., Baverstock, J. and Baverstock-Poppy, J., 2019. Meeting the demand for meat–Analysing meat flows to and from the UK pre and post-Brexit. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 86, pp.569-578.
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