Nearly half of Russians buy halal meat products, survey finds

MOSCOW (MNTV) — Nearly half of Russian consumers purchase halal meat products, with perceptions of higher quality and health benefits driving demand beyond religious considerations, according to a new study conducted by Cherkizovo Group.

The survey, reported by news.unipack.ru, polled more than 2,000 Russian adults who purchase meat products and found that 46% buy meat products carrying a halal label. Of those, 20% said they purchase halal products regularly, while 26% do so occasionally.

One in five respondents reported buying halal meat at least once a week.

The study found that religion was not the primary factor influencing purchasing decisions. Only 27% of respondents cited religious reasons for choosing halal products.

Instead, consumers were more likely to associate halal products with quality and health benefits. About 43% of respondents said they believed halal meat is healthier and of higher quality than conventional products, while 36.4% praised its taste.

Respondents were allowed to select multiple answers, resulting in totals exceeding 100%.

“These results confirm that halal products are no longer perceived solely as a niche product for a Muslim audience,” said Anastasia Mikhailova, a representative of Cherkizovo Group.

“Many consumers see the ‘halal’ label as additional confirmation of high quality, strict production controls and environmental friendliness,” she said.

Mikhailova added that the company expects demand for halal products in Russia to continue growing and plans to expand its range of halal poultry products marketed under the Latifa brand.

The findings reflect the increasing appeal of halal-certified foods among a broader consumer base, driven by perceptions of quality assurance and production standards rather than exclusively religious preferences.