Italy, with an increasingly multicultural population, is gearing up for both domestic and international commercial challenges in the realm of export. It’s important to note that Italy is one of the European countries most influenced by the phenomenon of migration. Since January 1st, over 90,000 individuals have arrived in the country from Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, with a significant portion being Muslims. Moreover, Italy hosts second-generation Muslims predominantly in its central and northern regions. These youth are growing up in a Western context, assimilating a Western lifestyle while maintaining familial religious roots. In short, they are European citizens with needs linked to the Islamic lifestyle.
Additionally, Italy attracts millions of tourists from around the world each year, including a percentage of Muslim visitors. This makes the Halal sector in the hospitality, restaurant, and catering (Ho.Re.Ca) industry more than necessary. Italy boasts thousands of ethnic shops scattered throughout the country, primarily selling Halal meat from authorized slaughterhouses (Halal slaughter is regulated in Italy by Article 3 of Legislative Decree 333/1998, which also applies to Kosher meat) and spices from countries of origin, mainly Asian and African.
However, there is a shortage of “Made in Italy” products specifically tailored for the Islamic market, although there are a few exceptions. A significant example is Omar Business Development, an Italian company that exclusively produces for Muslims. Among its flagship products is Halal Maria Ragù, the first certified Bolognese-style ragù, made from Italian raw materials. Similarly, the Sicilian company Salààh, run by two Italian brothers, has embraced Halal certification to diversify the charcuterie market. Their efforts have garnered decent success, thanks to the strategic location of the island. Even the renowned Suppa salami factory in Vibo Valentia is expanding its Halal salami production.
Other initiatives include Amadori’s Halal wurstel and the Dolcefreddo Moralberti products from Treviso, which have adopted Halal standards in the confectionery sector. Interestingly, many Italian companies certify their products and production lines as Halal, resulting in significant growth. However, there’s a paradox: these certifications are often used solely for export, to comply with regulatory requirements of importing countries, but they’re not advertised or utilized for the domestic market.
Currently, there is no official registry of Italian companies with Halal certification. This information can be found almost exclusively on their websites, in the certification sections, or on fair participation websites. It’s true that not all certified companies make their certified products available in the Italian market, but a significant portion does. Fortunately, this trend is gradually fading due to the growing presence of Muslim citizens living in Italy, along with the rise of second generations. Added to this is the increasing demand for Halal products in the Ho.Re.Ca industry. This growing demand is essential to avoid commercial disadvantages.
