Russian Halal turkey products are the first in the world to enter the Malaysian market 28.12.2025 09:20A presentation of Halal turkey products from Russia was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Aidar Gazizov, Advisor to the Chairman of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and Director General of the Halal International Center for Standardization and Certification, commented on the results of the joint work of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation, Damate Group, and Russian and Malaysian government agencies: "October 2023 can confidently be considered the starting point of cooperation between Russia and Malaysia within the halal industry. That was when the International Center for Standardization and Certification "Halal" under the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation became one of the first in the post-Soviet space to receive the status of a recognized halal certification body by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). Since then, the efforts of spiritual diplomacy, relevant departments, and ministries have been focused on launching the actual export of high-quality halal products from Russia to Malaysia.
Another key event in this context was the significant meeting between the spiritual leader of Russian Muslims, Mufti Sheikh Ravil Hazrat Gainutdin, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Muhammad bin Sabu, which took place in May 2023 at the Mufti's residence in the Moscow Cathedral Mosque. The great friend of Russia and its Muslim community was awarded the medal "For Spiritual Unity," after which he traveled to the capital of Tatarstan to participate in the annual Kazan Forum. Photos of the meeting between the Chief Mufti of Russia and the Malaysian Minister were widely broadcast by Malaysian state media outlets.
Minister Muhammad bin Sabu was one of the main initiators of expanding cooperation in the Halal industry between our countries, which included setting an ambitious goal this year: providing Malaysian citizens with turkey for Christmas. Thus, Halal products, which meet not only the requirements of Islamic law but also high quality and safety standards, deservedly become widespread among all consumers, regardless of faith, as they do in our country, serving as a bridge between representatives of different religions and worldviews.
In November 2025, a joint delegation from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) of Malaysia visited Penzamolinvest LLC (Damate Group), one of Europe's largest turkey slaughter and processing facilities. The specialists were impressed by the facility's high level of preparation and compliance with its halal system, and by early December, the world's first permit for the export of halal turkey products to Malaysia had been obtained. This significant achievement is the result of long-standing collaboration between Damate Group and the Halal International Center for Social and Cultural Affairs. The certification body at the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of the Russian Federation facilitated the development of a transparent halal system at the facility, issuing its certificate, recognized by JAKIM, two years before the official delegation's arrival, confirming compliance with the strictest global halal standards. Furthermore, this certificate is the primary requirement for JAKIM specialists to visit the facility.
The International Halal Standardization and Certification Center expresses its sincere gratitude to all interested individuals and organizations that took direct part in this historic event, primarily the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation represented by its Chairman, Chief Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia represented by Minister Muhammad bin Sabu.
We also express our special gratitude to the Russian Embassy in Malaysia and Ambassador Nail Latypov personally; the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, its representative in Malaysia, Vladislav Chernov, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustem Gainullov; the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance; the owner and chairman of the board of directors of Damate Group, Naum Babaev; the Halal Group; and the entire team of Penzamolinvest LLC.
The opening of the first plant provides Russian producers with a positive precedent and the opportunity to explore a new export destination not only in Malaysia but also in ASEAN countries, where high-quality and safe Halal products from Russia have every competitive advantage. Active work continues to open facilities for the slaughter and processing of poultry, cattle and small ruminants, dairy and confectionery production, and other industries.
