JAKARTA – Indonesia is firmly establishing itself as an emerging powerhouse in the global halal industry. Through the Top Halal Award 2025 initiative, the nation is amplifying its commitment to building authentic, integrity-driven, and competitive halal brands. This prestigious recognition extends beyond ceremonial appreciation—it represents a tangible manifestation of collaboration among research institutions, policymakers, and innovators working to position halal as both a national identity marker and Indonesia’s competitive advantage in the international marketplace.

Building Authentic Halal Brands for the Muslim Market

IHATEC Marketing Research organized the Top Halal Award 2025 under the theme “Building Authentic Halal Brands to Capture the Muslim Market.” The award ceremony, honoring 47 distinguished brands, took place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Ballroom 1, Hotel JS Luwansa, Jakarta. This celebration marked a significant moment of appreciation for top-performing brands that successfully secured leading positions as preferred choices among Indonesian millennial consumers.

As the global halal industry experiences rapid expansion, Indonesia has emerged as one of the world’s principal competitive arenas for halal brands. As the nation with the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesian consumers now demand more than merely halal-certified products—they seek brands that authentically and consistently embody the principles of halalan thayyiban (permissible and wholesome).

Within this context, the Top Halal Award functions not simply as recognition but as genuine acknowledgment from consumers toward brands that successfully maintain their trust and confidence.

Scientific Research Methodology and Consumer Insights

The awards are grounded in findings from the Top Halal Index survey conducted by IHATEC Marketing Research across six major Indonesian cities—Jakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Medan, Makassar, and Balikpapan—engaging 1,800 millennial respondents. This comprehensive research serves as a barometer of public trust, reflecting younger generations’ perspectives toward brands that deliver not only products but also authentic and integrity-based halal values.

“The Top Halal Award reflects a brand’s success in building consumer trust through halal commitment. It’s not merely recognition but acknowledgment of hard work, consistency, and integrity in fulfilling values that society believes in,” explained Evrin Lutfika, S.TP., M.TPn., Director of IHATEC Marketing Research.

“We express gratitude to all brands that participated in this year’s Top Halal Award. We believe this participation demonstrates concrete evidence that this recognition transcends compliance—it acknowledges success in building consumer trust. This represents pride that strengthens brand image and opens access to the global Muslim market,” she added.

Diverse Consumer Demographics and Universal Appeal

The Top Halal Index survey was designed using scientific and measurable methodology. Respondents consisted of Generation Z and millennials aged 20-39 years across various income levels. Notably, 13% of participants were non-Muslims, demonstrating that halal values are now appreciated universally, transcending religious boundaries.

Over four years of implementation, the Top Halal Award logo has gained widespread recognition. According to IHATEC Marketing Research studies, three out of five consumers recognize the logo, and 62% express greater trust toward brands displaying it.

“Therefore, we encourage Top Halal Award winners to leverage this momentum by displaying the THA logo across various brand communication media,” Evrin emphasized.

Government Support and Strategic National Direction

Ahmad Haikal Hasan, Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH), emphasized that this recognition holds strategic significance for the national halal industry’s direction.

“The presence of Top Halal Award 2025 represents a highly important momentum. Today we’re not only recognizing recipients but also affirming the direction that halal must possess identity, strength, and become the nation’s competitive advantage. Authentic halal brands don’t merely meet standards—they build trust. This is capital for winning markets, particularly the global Muslim market, by presenting Indonesia as a leading halal production center,” he stated.

This statement reinforces that halal transcends compliance labeling—it represents national identity carrying economic missions and global reputation enhancement.

Economic Impact and Export Opportunities

In alignment with this perspective, Teuku Riefky Harsya, Minister of Creative Economy/Head of the Creative Economy Agency (BEKRAF), emphasized the halal industry’s importance as a national economic driver.

“The halal product industry constitutes a vital component of the national economy. Indonesia possesses tremendous opportunities to become the world’s halal center. Halal standards provide extensive benefits, from health aspects and product safety to employment creation and export opportunities. With local wisdom and trusted halal standards, Indonesian culinary products are certainly ready to penetrate global markets,” he stated.

Strengthening the National Halal Ecosystem

Similar support came from KH. Sholahudin Al Aiyub, M.Si., Executive Director of the National Committee for Sharia Economy and Finance (KNEKS), who recognized the Top Halal Award’s crucial role in strengthening the national halal ecosystem.

“Top Halal Award 2025 represents a highly important platform for appreciating and promoting halal brands and products in Indonesia. Amid rapid halal industry growth, this recognition not only acknowledges achievements but also encourages industry players to continuously innovate and improve product quality according to halal and sharia principles. We believe that through collaboration among government, industry players, and society, we can create a halal industry that’s competitive not only nationally but also globally,” he explained.

Market Research Insights and Consumer Trends

The comprehensive research methodology employed by IHATEC Marketing Research reveals several significant trends:

Consumer Demographics:

• Primary target: Generation Z and Millennials (20-39 years)
• Diverse income levels represented
• Multi-faith participation demonstrating universal appeal
• Urban consumers across major Indonesian cities

Brand Trust Indicators:

• 60% logo recognition rate among consumers
• 62% higher trust for brands displaying Top Halal Award logo
• Strong correlation between certification visibility and purchase decisions
• Growing awareness of halalan thayyiban principles

Competitive Advantages for Award Winners

Brands receiving the Top Halal Award 2025 gain multiple strategic advantages:

1. Enhanced Credibility: Third-party validation from respected research institution
2. Consumer Trust: Demonstrated preference among millennial consumers
3. Market Differentiation: Clear competitive positioning in crowded marketplace
4. Brand Equity: Strengthened reputation supporting premium pricing strategies
5. Global Market Access: Credibility supporting international expansion efforts
6. Marketing Leverage: Recognized certification mark for promotional campaigns

Indonesia’s Halal Industry Potential

Indonesia’s position as a potential global halal industry center stems from several factors:

Demographic Advantages:

• World’s largest Muslim population
• Growing middle class with increasing purchasing power
• Young, digitally-savvy consumer base
• Strong cultural affinity for halal products

Economic Opportunities:

• Expanding domestic halal market
• Strategic geographic position for regional distribution
• Rich biodiversity supporting diverse halal product development
• Established manufacturing infrastructure

Policy Support:

• Government commitment to halal industry development
• Regulatory framework supporting halal certification
• Trade agreements facilitating halal product exports
• Investment incentives for halal industry players

Challenges and Future Directions

While Indonesia possesses significant potential, several challenges require attention:

• Standardization: Ensuring consistent halal standards across diverse product categories
• Supply Chain Integrity: Maintaining halal compliance throughout production and distribution
• International Recognition: Harmonizing Indonesian halal standards with international requirements
• Innovation: Developing cutting-edge halal products competing globally
• Human Resources: Building skilled workforce understanding halal industry requirements

Collaboration for Global Competitiveness

The Top Halal Award 2025 exemplifies effective collaboration among multiple stakeholders:

Research Institutions: Providing credible, data-driven consumer insights

Government Agencies: Establishing regulatory frameworks and industry support

Industry Players: Implementing best practices and driving innovation

Consumers: Providing feedback and market direction through purchasing decisions

This multi-stakeholder approach creates a robust ecosystem supporting sustainable halal industry growth.

Strategic Implications for Brand Development

For businesses operating in or entering the halal market, the Top Halal Award offers several strategic lessons:

1. Authenticity Matters: Consumers increasingly value genuine commitment beyond certification compliance
2. Consistency Builds Trust: Long-term brand success requires unwavering halal standards adherence
3. Innovation Drives Growth: Combining tradition with innovation attracts modern consumers
4. Transparency Creates Confidence: Clear communication about halal practices strengthens consumer relationships
5. Quality Standards: Halalan thayyiban principles demand excellence in product quality and safety

Conclusion: Positioning Indonesia as Global Halal Leader

Through credible research, collaborative spirit, and commitment to maintaining consumer trust, the Top Halal Award affirms that halal transcends standards—it represents values that build reputation, competitiveness, and sustainability for Indonesian halal brands in the global marketplace.

As Indonesia continues advancing its halal industry development, initiatives like the Top Halal Award provide essential infrastructure for quality assurance, brand differentiation, and market development. The recognition of 47 outstanding brands in 2025 demonstrates the maturity and diversity of Indonesia’s halal industry while signaling readiness to compete on the international stage.

For Indonesian halal brands, the path forward requires maintaining authenticity, embracing innovation, and consistently delivering on the promise of halalan thayyiban. With strong government support, robust research infrastructure, and an increasingly sophisticated consumer base, Indonesia is well-positioned to realize its vision of becoming a global halal industry center—transforming national identity into competitive advantage and market leadership.

Original Article:

Halal Times. (2025, October 10). Top Halal Award 2025 Pacu Daya Saing Merek Halal Indonesia di Pasar Dunia. Retrieved from https://id.investing.com/news/economy-news/top-halal-award-2025-pacu-daya-saing-merek-halal-indonesia-di-pasar-dunia-2879507