KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Halal Development Corporation Bhd (HDC) led 15 Malaysian halal-certified exporters to Fi South America 2026 in Sao Paulo as Malaysia’s halal exports to Brazil increased to an estimated RM860.45 million in 2025 from RM510.82 million in 2023.
HDC, an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), said its participation in the exhibition, held from Aug 4-6 at the Sao Paulo Expo Convention Centre, was under the Malaysia Global Halal Show (MGHS) 2.0.
It said the three-day programme facilitated pre-arranged and walk-in business-to-business (B2B) engagements, product promotion and business networking, while providing participating companies with insights into Brazilian consumer preferences, regulatory requirements, distribution channels and buyer expectations.
“The programme target included at least 15 B2B meetings and RM200 million in potential sales,” it said in a statement.
HDC also said it strengthened institutional relations with key players in Brazil’s halal ecosystem, including FAMBRAS Halal and CDIAL Halal, while connecting Brazilian halal stakeholders with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) on halal certification and governance matters and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation’s (MATRADE) Sao Paulo office on market-access facilitation.
HDC Assistant General Manager for International Cooperation Mohamed Romzi Sulaiman said HDC’s participation in Fi South America went beyond showcasing Malaysian products.
“It is about creating significant connections between Malaysian halal product exporters and international buyers, while strengthening the trust, market access and institutional partnerships needed to build sustainable halal trade,” he said.
HDC said the initiative supports the objectives of the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP) 2030, particularly in strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global halal market, expanding international market access and increasing the participation of Malaysian halal businesses in high-potential markets.
“Through targeted market-development initiatives such as Fi South America 2026, HDC continues to advance HIMP 2030’s ambition of positioning Malaysia as a leading global halal industry hub,” it said.
HDC said Brazil is viewed as a strategic gateway for Malaysia into Latin America, given its sizeable food and agribusiness economy and established linkages with Arab and Muslim-majority markets.
“Malaysia’s halal exports to Brazil increased from RM510.82 million in 2023 to RM860.45 million in 2025 (provisional), highlighting the growing potential for deeper bilateral halal trade,” it said.
HDC added that it would continue to support further engagements with prospective buyers and partners identified through the programme, aiming to convert business leads into longer-term commercial opportunities and strengthen Malaysia-Brazil halal industry linkages.
-- BERNAMA