Reinstatement of U.S. Halal Certification

The Indonesian Halal Authority, Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH), has reinstated the accreditation of one of the United States’ halal certification bodies, which had previously been suspended. This decision restores American beef exporters’ access to Indonesia, a significant market in Southeast Asia. The reaccreditation followed a review and audit process aimed at ensuring compliance with Indonesia’s halal standards.

Background of the Suspension

In March 2025, BPJPH temporarily revoked the accreditation of a halal certifier based in Omaha, Nebraska, raising concerns about whether certain U.S. slaughter practices met Indonesia’s halal requirements. The suspension halted all U.S. beef exports to Indonesia, creating temporary disruption in trade flows.

According to Jihae Yang, Vice President for Asia Pacific at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), BPJPH’s concerns arose after a plant audit that revealed one facility was not properly certified as halal. After clarification and reassessment, the issue was resolved, leading to the certification body’s reinstatement earlier this month.

Impact on Trade and Market Potential

Before the suspension, the United States had exported approximately USD 93 million worth of beef to Indonesia in 2024. With the market reopening, Greg Hanes, Chief Executive Officer of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, highlighted Indonesia’s strong potential for U.S. beef exports due to its large Muslim population, growing economy, and increasing consumer demand for premium-quality meat.

He also noted improvements in Indonesia’s cold chain infrastructure, which now allows for the import of both frozen and chilled meat products. According to Hanes, these developments, combined with the growing appeal of halal-certified food, will further boost U.S. beef exports to the region.

Addressing Barriers and Strengthening Cooperation

While some non-tariff barriers remain in place, the reaccreditation removes a major obstacle that had restricted trade. Moreover, a joint statement issued by the U.S. and Indonesian governments in July 2025 outlined a new framework for strengthening cooperation and addressing long-standing export challenges.

This progress marks a significant milestone in U.S.–Indonesia trade relations, signaling increased alignment between both nations’ halal certification systems and paving the way for greater collaboration in the global halal meat industry.

Original Article:

Meat & Poultry. (2025, October 20). Halal beef from United States reaccredited by BPJPH. Retrieved from https://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/32506-halal-beef-from-united-states-reaccredited-by-bpjph