Source: Tehran Times

Kawaguchiko, Japan – Iran is exploring a strategic pivot in its relationship with Brazilian meat suppliers, potentially transforming from a major importer to a re-export hub for halal-certified products, according to statements made by Iran’s Agriculture Minister during his visit to Brazil this week.

New Direction for Existing Infrastructure

While visiting the Iran Halal Center in São Paulo, Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh revealed plans to repurpose the country’s established meat processing infrastructure in Brazil. The minister, who traveled to Brazil for the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Summit, explained that as Iran’s domestic meat production improves, the country intends to leverage these facilities to re-export Brazilian meat products to Islamic countries under a new “Halal Iran” brand.

“Even as we approach self-sufficiency in meat production, we won’t abandon the infrastructure we’ve developed in Brazil,” Nouri Ghezeljeh stated. “Instead, we envision transforming these operations to facilitate the re-export of halal-certified red meat to Islamic nations and other interested markets under our ‘Halal Iran’ label.”

Evolving Import Strategy

The minister acknowledged that Iran’s need for substantial meat imports has diminished as domestic production recovers from previous currency-related disruptions that had necessitated foreign supplies to address local shortages.

Additionally, Iran has increasingly turned to neighboring countries for meat imports, citing advantages in geographical proximity, cultural alignment, and religious compatibility. These shifts have naturally reduced operational activity at the São Paulo halal center.

“Our current preference is to import specific products like frozen beef, particularly veal, from Brazil,” Nouri Ghezeljeh explained, describing this as part of Iran’s evolving procurement approach.

Halal Certification as an Export Opportunity

Despite the declining import volumes, the minister emphasized that the São Paulo facility will remain operational “for as long as necessary” and will increasingly focus on commercial opportunities in re-export markets and providing halal certification services to other countries.

“Marketing red meat and poultry products under the ‘Halal Iran’ brand allows us to fulfill religious obligations while simultaneously generating valuable foreign revenue,” he noted.

The minister also highlighted the São Paulo center’s ongoing importance in ensuring that Iranian consumers have access to properly verified halal products that meet their religious requirements.

This strategic shift represents Iran’s adaptation to changing market conditions and its efforts to transform a necessary import relationship into a potential export opportunity, while maintaining its commitments to halal standards for both domestic and international consumers.

Original Articles:

tehrantimes.com. (n.d.). Iran eyes re-export of Brazilian meat under ‘Halal Iran’ brand to Islamic markets. Retrieved April 16, 2025, from https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/511893/Iran-eyes-re-export-of-Brazilian-meat-under-Halal-Iran-brand