To tap into the opportunities in the halal sector, the UK needs to improve its regulation and invest in halal compliant methods of beef production; the government must also invest in market access by opening more markets abroad.
According to the 2025 State of the Global Islamic Economy Report, the value of the global halal food sector is projected to grow from US$1.43 trillion in 2023 to US $1.94 trillion by 2028 (Dinar Standard, 2025). This projected growth is underscored by rapid expansion in the population of Muslims globally due partly to high fertility rates. In the UK alone, Muslims account for 6.5% of the population (ONS, 2021), and it is reported to be a relatively younger population with high disposable income, therefore offering commercial opportunities in the longer term.
In 2025, the halal sector was estimated to contribute £1.7 billion to the UK economy (Lever et. al., 2025), and data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) estimated the proportion of lamb consumed by Muslims in the UK to be around 30% (AHDB, 2024). In the same study, AHDB found that whilst only 6% of the general population is estimated to consume lamb weekly, up to 60% of Muslims consume lamb at least once a week, highlighting the opportunity for the sheep sector.