Results of the visit on GulFood 2026 in Dubai, UAE 04.02.2026 11:51Comments by the Advisor to the Chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation on the development of the Halal industry, General Director of the International Center for Social and Cultural Affairs "Halal" Aidar Gazizov on the results of the work of the delegation of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation, key events of the international exhibition Gulfood 2026 :
From January 26 to 30, the 31st international food exhibition, Gulfood 2026, was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, fulfilling the instructions of the Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, to further strengthen the position of domestic halal products in the global market, participated in the exhibition for the 15th time.
According to leading exporting companies and government agencies, this exhibition is one of the most productive for both small and medium-sized businesses and systemically important players in the Russian agricultural market. Thanks in part to the efforts of our Center, the first joint stand of Russian companies was organized in 2016. Over the past 10 years, this number has grown to a significant 140 current and potential exporters. I would also like to highlight the dynamic performance of the Republic of Tatarstan's stand, which almost doubled its size this year, featuring 22 companies.
The exhibition's special importance for the Russian halal industry and the entire agro-industrial complex is underscored by the presence of distinguished guests, including representatives of key Russian government agencies and ministries. Among those attending the exhibition opening were: Russian Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut; General Director of the Russian Export Center Veronika Nikishina; and Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. On the final day of the exhibition, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev visited the Russian stand.
In his commentary, Dmitry Nikolaevich noted the significant growth in agricultural trade between Russia and the UAE, which has doubled over the past three years to reach $400 million. Particular attention was paid to the dynamic growth of halal exports, which is another signal for our companies to pay attention to this promising area of activity.
A central element of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation's delegation's work at Gulfood 2026, in addition to accompanying a high-level delegation of Russian government agencies, was live communication with potential partners. At least 15 new requests for halal certification were received following the exhibition. Furthermore, certificates were ceremoniously presented to companies that had passed a rigorous assessment process for compliance with international halal standards in advance of the exhibition—dairy producer EkoNiva Voronezh and protein dessert maker Fit Kit.
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation delegation also considers maintaining contacts with existing partners extremely valuable, as a significant portion of the Russian companies represented at the event are certified by the Center, which reports to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation.
With the assistance of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation delegation, several important meetings were held, including a meeting between Rustam Gainullov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Dmitry Antonov, Senior Vice President of Resource, a leading producer of halal poultry products. The parties discussed new export destinations, current problems, and challenges in the production and export of agricultural products in our country. Furthermore, the parties discussed the possibility of opening a poultry processing facility in the Republic.
A meeting was also held with Natalia Bartnovskaya, Director of Foreign Economic Development at Cherkizovo Trading House, to discuss the use of the practical experience of the Halal International Center for Social and Economic Development to begin exporting Halal poultry products to the Malaysian market.
The International Halal Standardization and Certification Center expresses its continued gratitude to the entire staff of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and personally to the spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, under whose leadership the Russian halal industry has been systematically developing for nearly a quarter of a century. We also express our gratitude to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, Marat Zyabbarov, and his deputy, Rustem Gainullov, for the opportunity to participate in the Republic's stand.
