An estimated Dh550 million (NZ$2.14 billion) worth of halal merchandise is distributed through Dubai each year with halal cosmetics constituting a large proportion of this figure, according to EmiratesBusinss24/7.com.
Elaine O’Connell, senior show manager of the Beautyworld trade fair for the Middle East, was quoted in the report saying an estimated Dh550 million worth of halal merchandise is distributed through the Emirates each year, with personal care items constituting a large proportion of this figure.
“Recent developments contributing to this growth include the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia’s decision to set up its marketing centre in Dubai. So far, 100 companies retailing more than 400 halal products – including cosmetics – have participated in this venture and it is anticipated that over the next five years more than Dh37 billion of halal products will be channelled through this market.”
A recent report from the Institute of Personal Care Science of Australia said that the global cosmetics market is worth US$334 billion (NZ$493 billion) and the global halal cosmetics market is estimated at $13 billion.
In the Middle East, the market size for halal personal care products is estimated to be worth Dh2.06 billion.
“Consumers in Asia, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, have been the first in driving demand for Shariah-compliant health and beauty products, with Malaysia last year drafting a halal certification standard that evaluates the content, modes of production, storage, handling and packaging for cosmetics and beauty products,” according to O’Connell.
International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI Alliance) is working on the global standard, which is set for publication this summer, and should help to push sales of cosmetics among Muslims.
Nearly a quarter of the world’s population are Muslims and the global halal business, estimated by a Malaysian research company to be worth US$635 billion a year, has expanded from Islamic countries to Western nations with growing Muslim populations. In France, which is home to about five million Muslims, sales of halal food are set to hit US$7.2 billion in 2010.
The beauty and cosmetics industry is expected to increase globally by 8.5% by 2014, the report said, citing a recent research from Euro Monitor International.
