As the doors swing open on MIHAS 2025, the Malaysia International Halal Showcase stands poised once more to do more than just list products and sign deals.
After MIHAS 2024 delivered a record RM4.3 billion in sales, up 34 per cent from the previous year, driven by agriculture, prepared food, beverages, and emerging sectors like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, all eyes are on how the halal industry will evolve in 2025 (DinarStandard).
But this year, there are new markers, fresh benchmarks, and emerging vectors of change driven by global consumer trends, technology, and shifting travel patterns.
Global Trends Lighting the Path Forward
1. Ethical Consumerism and Halal Beyond Faith
- According to the latest State of the Global Islamic Economy (SGIE) report, the global halal economy expanded by 5.5 per cent in 2023, reaching £1.77 trillion, despite inflation and global supply chain disruptions (The Halal Times).
- Alongside traditional food & beverages, halal cosmetics and other lifestyle sectors are gaining ground, especially among younger consumers who couple halal with sustainability, clean labels, and ethical branding (The Halal Times).
2. Travel Rebounding, Reshaping, and Redefining Experience
- The Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025 reports international Muslim arrivals reaching 176 million in 2024 — a 25 per cent increase from 2023 — with projected growth to 245 million by 2030, and with total spending expected to hit US$230 billion (Mastercard).
- Travel experiences are no longer just about destinations: Muslim travellers increasingly expect purpose-driven, digital, immersive, and assured services. CrescentRating’s RIDA framework (Responsible, Immersive, Digital, Assured) is fast becoming a reference point for hospitality and tourism sectors to measure readiness (Pacific Asia Travel Association).
Why MIHAS 2025 Is More Than Just a Trade Fair — It’s a Global Signal
MIHAS 2024 set the template: strong sales, strong cross-border MOUs, strong sourcing through its International Sourcing Programme (DinarStandard). As MIHAS 2025 begins, this year’s agenda must engage with:
Sustainability & traceability
The SGIE reports show growing consumer demand for halal that’s not merely certified, but socially responsible — especially in cosmetics, food, and ethical goods (The Halal Times).
Tech-enabled assurance
Digital halal assurance (blockchain, apps) and immersive experiences are not just trends; they are being built into global halal frameworks.
CrescentRating’s RIDA and GMTI both highlight the importance of digital tools for Muslim travellers, including seamless access to faith-aligned services (Mastercard).
Regional competitiveness & inclusivity
CrescentRating ranks Malaysia top among OIC countries for Muslim-friendly travel; non-OIC leaders like Singapore also shine in this space (Mastercard).
ASEAN players must leverage MIHAS as a bridge, not just to gain export orders, but to build ecosystems that meet global halal expectations.
Why You Should Be Watching MIHAS 2025 if You’re in the Halal Business
From inside the halls, here’s where the story will unfold:
Watching how local companies translate global trends, such as ethical cosmetics or tech-assured food supply, into export-ready products.
- Observing which MOUs or partnerships position Malaysian firms in travel, cosmetics, or halal tech as opposed to just food.
- Spotting innovations around traveler experience in MIHAS side-events—apps, immersive packaging, or brands using sustainable wrap, transparent sourcing.
- Checking how procurement and investment, potentially from Islamic finance firms, are being structured to support halal infrastructure, especially in certifying labs, traceability, and halal logistics.
