Halal Foods in the United States Present Opportunities and Challenges

Subin Poudel(a) and Hikaru Hanawa Peterson(a)
(a)University of Minnesota

JEL Codes: J15, Q11, Q13, Z12
Keywords: food access, food certification, halal food, Muslim Americans, premium

First Published Online: April 15, 2026

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Abstract

The US halal food market, growing 7.5 percent annually, reflects rising demand and demographic shifts. We discuss challenges in pricing, supply, and certification. Findings reveal a halal premium ranging from 4 percent to 118 percent, reliance on imports, and regulatory gaps, underscoring the need for stronger domestic production and supply chain standards.

About the Authors: Subin Poudel (Corresponding Author Email: poude033@umn.edu) is a Graduate Student, Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN. Hikaru Hanawa Peterson (hhp@umn.edu) is a Professor, Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.

Acknowledgments: This work was completed in the Department of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, on behalf of the Somali American community in the Greater Saint Cloud area in Minnesota, as part of the USDA AFPRI project 2023-68015-39602.

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