Arabfields, Jamel derbal, Senior Correspondent, Innovation & Sustainability, Singapore — The Philippines is positioning its halal industry for a larger role in regional trade as Halal Expo Philippines prepares to return for its third edition in January 2027.
The event is scheduled to take place from January 21 to 24 at the Mega Trade Center in SM Mega Mall, bringing together halal businesses, government representatives, investors, industry professionals, families and young people interested in the sector. The expansion comes at a time when interest in halal products is growing beyond traditional food markets and into tourism, manufacturing and international trade.
For small business owners, the development offers a practical opportunity. Many Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises are already working to obtain halal certification for products ranging from sauces and beverages to snacks, fruits and nuts. For these entrepreneurs, access to certification and new buyers can determine whether a product remains a local business or reaches customers abroad.
The wider economic picture is also encouraging. Philippine exports reached $46.72 billion during the first six months of 2026, an increase of 13.1 percent from the same period a year earlier. Agricultural trade also expanded, reaching $2.47 billion in June, up 8.5 percent year on year.
However, the figures also highlight a challenge for local producers. Agricultural imports reached $1.77 billion in June, while agricultural exports stood at $706.92 million, leaving the country with a $1.06 billion agricultural trade deficit. Increasing the number of competitive, certified Filipino products could therefore become an important part of efforts to capture more value in overseas markets.
The halal food market in the Philippines was estimated at around $60 million in 2025, while the broader ASEAN halal market was valued at about $2 trillion. With government agencies increasing support for certification and export development in 2026, the sector is entering a period in which more Filipino companies could seek regional customers.
The next edition of Halal Expo Philippines is expected to reflect that shift. A larger event could create more opportunities for business matching, product promotion and investment, particularly for smaller producers that have traditionally struggled to connect with international buyers.
The outlook for 2027 is therefore increasingly tied to the ability of Filipino businesses to move from certification to commercial scale. If the export momentum recorded during the first half of 2026 continues and more MSMEs enter the halal ecosystem, the Philippines could see stronger participation in ASEAN halal trade over the coming years.
For entrepreneurs and young professionals entering the sector, the expo represents more than a trade event. It is becoming a meeting point between local production, international demand and a generation looking for new opportunities in a rapidly expanding halal economy.
