| By Vietnam News

Strategic Location Fuels Access to Muslim Consumer Markets

Tây Ninh Province is strengthening its role as a vital logistics gateway connecting Vietnam’s Southeast region with the Mekong Delta, supporting the expansion of agricultural exports to Muslim-majority markets in the Middle East and Africa. These regions are increasingly viewed as high-potential destinations for Halal-certified Vietnamese products.

With direct links to key production zones and cross-border trade routes, Tây Ninh is emerging as a strategic node in Vietnam’s long-term logistics strategy through 2030.

Middle East and Africa Offer Vast Growth Potential for Halal Products

Home to more than 1.8 billion people, largely Muslim, the Middle East and Africa represent significant demand for Halal food products. Vietnam’s agricultural strengths—ranging from seafood and processed foods to coffee, cashew nuts, pepper, and cassava-based products—align closely with consumption patterns in these markets.

Vietnam’s trade with Middle Eastern and African partners reached approximately US$34 billion in 2024, doubling since 2016. Despite this progress, officials note that trade volumes still fall short of market potential.

Halal-Certified Enterprises Drive Tây Ninh’s Export Ambitions

Tây Ninh currently hosts 57 Halal-certified enterprises, with 48 companies actively trading through the UAE. Many locally produced goods already comply with Islamic market standards, reinforcing the province’s ambition to become a central Halal supply hub.

Thành Thành Công – Biên Hoà JSC (TTC AgriS) plays a leading role through its circular agricultural ecosystem spanning Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Australia, and Indonesia. The company operates 10 modern factories certified under ISO, HACCP, BRC, Organic, Kosher, and Halal standards, producing nearly 200 globally compliant food products.

TTC AgriS is pursuing memoranda of understanding with UAE partners and international Halal bodies to build a fully integrated Halal value chain covering production, processing, logistics, and e-commerce.

High-Tech Livestock Projects Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience

Tây Ninh’s geographic position also supports disease-free livestock development, a key requirement for Halal and premium food exports. De Heus Group of the Netherlands has launched two major projects—DHN Tây Ninh 2 and 5—each spanning 25 hectares.

These Global GAP-certified farms apply closed-loop systems, advanced biosecurity, and environmentally sustainable practices to support high-quality animal feed and livestock production.

Mekong Delta Complements Halal Export Expansion

As Vietnam’s primary agricultural powerhouse, the Mekong Delta supplies large volumes of rice, fruit, and aquaculture products. Cần Thơ alone produces over 640,000 tonnes of aquaculture annually, with rice and fruit output exceeding 4 million tonnes.

Local authorities highlight strong potential to scale Halal exports to the Middle East and Africa, though challenges remain in certification costs, production standardisation, and traceability systems.

Trade Performance Signals Room for Market Diversification

Tây Ninh ranks ninth nationwide in export turnover, trading with more than 130 countries. In 2024, total import-export value reached US$28 billion, generating a trade surplus of US$3.11 billion. However, trade with Middle Eastern and African markets remains relatively limited.

Provincial officials aim to position Tây Ninh as a transparent, investor-friendly trade connector linking southern Vietnam with Cambodia while deepening engagement with Muslim consumer markets.

Long-Term Vision Aligns With National Logistics Strategy

Supported by favorable policies and geographic advantages, Tây Ninh is poised to become an international trade gateway for Halal-certified agricultural products. Its growing role in regional supply chains supports Vietnam’s broader objective of expanding exports to emerging markets while strengthening its position in the global Halal economy.

Original Article:

Vietnam News. (2025). Tây Ninh expands Middle East–Africa markets for farm produce. https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1729283/tay-ninh-expands-middle-east-africa-markets-for-farm-produce.html