Wellington: New Zealand and Malaysia have initiated a collaborative effort to enhance the trade of premium halal meat, leveraging New Zealand's well-established reputation in halal processing. This initiative was revealed at a Halal Forum held in Wellington and attended by high-ranking officials from both nations, with the anticipation of creating new export opportunities for New Zealand producers, as stated in a New Zealand government announcement.

According to Namibia Press Agency, New Zealand's halal meat exports to Malaysia exceeded 60 million NZ dollars (approximately 35.68 million U.S. dollars) last year. A pivotal aspect of the newly established agreement involves Malaysian authorities visiting multiple New Zealand facilities, aiming to gain access to the Malaysian market for the first time. This step is deemed essential for the continued growth of exports.

With Malaysia's population surpassing 35 million, officials from both nations foresee substantial market expansion. New Zealand's Minister for Food Safety, Andrew Hoggard, expressed optimism, stating, "Once approved, this will boost returns for Kiwi farmers, processors, and exporters." He also mentioned that efforts are underway to streamline export regulations for New Zealand producers, including updates to registration, documentation, processing, and packaging requirements.