Indonesian halal food and beverage products are increasingly becoming the world's attention. These products have a lot of interest in the international trade show Halal Expo Nigeria 2021 at the Trade Convention Center, Abuja, Nigeria. "Indonesian food and beverage products are seen as good in the eyes of the Muslim community in Nigeria because they have a world-recognized halal certification," said Director General of National Export Development Didi Sumedi in a written statement, Tuesday, September 21, 2021. At the exhibition, Indonesian food and beverage products received a potential transaction of USD120 thousand. This potential comes from the requests of visitors during the three days of holding the exhibition.
There were 70 inquiries addressed to PT Jamu Sidomuncul Tbk and 100 inquiries addressed to CV Jaya Abadi, which at the time of the exhibition featured products from the Orang Tua Group, Dandang Tea, Sosro Tea, Havila Ginger Drink, ginseng coffee, and supplements. In addition, distributors, resellers, and importers who are interested and request additional information reach 75 companies. Head of ITPC Lagos Hendro Jonathan added that currently halal certification in Nigeria is not yet mandatory so that it can be an opportunity for Indonesian halal food and beverage products to enter the Nigerian market.
"Currently, halal certification has not become a mandatory requirement in Nigeria. Thus, Nigeria does not yet have a halal certification body that is officially supported by the Nigerian government. However, several Nigerian Muslim organizations have issued halal certification and have alliances with several world halal certification bodies. is an opportunity for Indonesia to increase exports of halal food and beverage products," explained Hendro. Based on data from the Global Islamic Economy Report 2020/2021, Indonesia is ranked fourth and Nigeria is ranked 13th based on the value of economic indicators. Meanwhile, in the categories of halal food, modest wear, as well as media and recreation, Indonesia is ranked fourth, third, and fifth in the world, respectively.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is the only country in Africa to rank in the top 15 based on overall indicators. Based on the Statistics Agency of Nigeria (Nigerian Bureau of Statistics), the Muslim population in Negeria reaches 53.5 percent, Catholics 10.6 percent, Christians 35.3 percent, and 0.6 percent of other faiths. "Halal certification is very important and is an added value for the Nigerian market nationally, especially in northern Nigeria where the majority of the population is Muslim," he said. The Ministry of Trade also noted that the total trade between Indonesia and Nigeria in the January-July 2021 period was recorded at USD 1.23 billion. The value of Indonesia's exports to Nigeria in the January-July 2021 period amounted to USD250.15 million, an increase of 20.88 percent compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Indonesia's non-oil and gas imports from Nigeria in the same period were recorded at USD43.59 million.
