| By Food Business ME

Saudi Arabia has introduced the Halal Mark Track, a new certification system designed to align halal compliance with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, in a move aimed at strengthening confidence in Saudi halal products both domestically and internationally.

The initiative is led by the Saudi Halal Center, operating under the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), and is implemented in collaboration with the Halal Product Development Company, a subsidiary of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, and THIQAH. Together, the partners aim to establish a more transparent, reliable and sustainable halal ecosystem.

The Halal Mark Track integrates recognized halal standards with ESG requirements, enabling certified products to meet both religious and sustainability criteria under the oversight of the Saudi Halal Center. Officials say the approach is intended to enhance consumer trust while improving the global competitiveness of Saudi-made halal products.

By combining halal certification with ESG principles, the program offers businesses a unified framework that reflects internationally aligned quality and sustainability benchmarks. Companies that obtain the certification are expected to benefit from improved market access and greater opportunities to expand operations both within Saudi Arabia and abroad.

Authorities describe the initiative as a strategic step towards improving efficiency across the halal sector, while also creating new opportunities for local and international firms operating within the Kingdom.

Digital Innovation in Livestock Management

The launch of the Halal Mark Track follows earlier efforts by Saudi Arabia to modernize its agricultural and livestock sectors. In July 2025, the Kingdom began piloting a digital livestock management system that uses facial recognition technology to monitor the health and productivity of small ruminants.

The Saudi Smart Flock system, developed under the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme (Saudi Reef), was implemented across six pilot farms to support the modernization of small-scale animal farming. The technology identifies individual animals through facial features, tracks performance indicators, monitors health conditions, and consolidates farm data into a single digital platform suitable for both traditional and intensive farming systems.

Farmers using the system receive real-time insights into herd health and productivity, helping to reduce losses and improve livestock quality over time. Saudi Reef aims to raise incomes for small-scale farmers while strengthening national food production through technology-driven solutions.

Livestock remains a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s rural economy. According to data from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the Kingdom is home to approximately 22 million sheep, 7.4 million goats and 2.2 million camels. Most sheep are female, while the majority of camels are aged four years or older.

Source:

Food Business ME. (2025). Saudi Arabia introduces halal mark track to integrate ESG standards. https://www.foodbusinessmea.com/saudi-arabia-introduces-halal-mark-track-to-integrate-esg-standards/