Brazil Sees Malaysia As Strategic Gateway To Expand To Asian Halal Market
By Danni Haizal Danial Donald
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Brazil sees Malaysia as a strategic gateway to the wider Asian halal market due to its logistics, supply chain connectivity and market size.
Institutional relations director at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce Fernanda Baltazar said Malaysia’s strategic position and efficient logistics infrastructure make it an important platform for Brazilian companies seeking to expand their presence in Asia.
“Malaysia is very strategic when you’re talking about how the (halal) market is growing economically, globally and logarithmically. So, the supply chain here is a very important platform to enter the Asian market.
“Therefore, we are looking for Malaysia, and we understand how important it is to be here (at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026),” she said during an interview with the Bernama Mobile Studio programme to discuss the topic of “Exhibiting at MIHAS 2026 and Global Halal Trade”.
Baltazar said Brazil also aims to showcase its diverse range of products and diversify its presence in the halal market at MIHAS 2026.
She said the country would like to open its doors for the manufacturing of higher value-added Brazilian food and beverage products.
“Brazil is already the world's largest halal meat exporter, but we would like to be much more than a protein supplier... we would (like to) give Brazilian companies a real gateway into the Asian halal market through Malaysia and MIHAS.
“Our end objective to be here (at MIHAS) is not just to sell, but to diversify the market for all the Brazilian products,” she said
Meanwhile, Baltazar said Brazil is making its fourth participation at MIHAS 2026, bringing a total of six Brazilian companies and organisations for this edition.
They include Milhão Ingredients, a corn-based products manufacturer; MBRF Global Foods Company, a protein processor; Pão & Arte, a Brazilian bakery; and three halal certification bodies, namely CDIAL Halal, FAMBRAS Halal and Halal Approval of Brazil.
“MIHAS is where trust and brand recognition are built year after year, so it's very important for us," said Baltazar.
According to Baltazar, Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of halal meat and the number one supplier of halal-certified chicken globally, exporting more than two million tonnes a year.
The country's halal beef exports surged by 65 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, while other halal export products that also improved included sugar, grains, coffee and Yerba mate.
Yerba mate is a traditional South American caffeinated drink made by steeping the dried leaves and stems of the Ilex paraguariensis plant
“Brazil's halal meat exports alone reached over US$3.6 billion between January and September 2025, up more than 20 per cent year-on-year, and our exports to the 57 countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation total around US$6 billion in halal protein,” she added.
MIHAS 2026 will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sept 25, 2026.
MIHAS 2026 is currently being held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) for four days from Sept 23, and was previously reported to be targeting more than RM5 billion in potential business, while expanding access for Malaysian halal products to international markets.
Organised by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and coordinated by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the event is also expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors from 45 countries.
-- BERNAMA