Al Islami Foods, a leading halal food producer in the Middle East, announced its growth figures in a press released with a two-point increase in market share and net sales growth of 59 percent until the end of July 2007. "The main engine of solid growth is our commitment of offering real halal [food] to the consumer. Today we are celebrating a marked success in the local market. We are confident that we will win the trust of growing Muslim communities in international markets as well, said Saleh Abdullah Lootah, chief executive officer of Al Islami Foods. With this growth, Al Islami has emerged as a market leader in the frozen chicken market in key supermarket chains in the UAE, acquiring a 25 percent market share. Consolidating its presence in the local and international markets, Al Islami signed Memorandums of Understanding with state-owned Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders in the UAE and the Halal Industry Development Corporation, an organization wholly owned by the Government of Malaysia. Also, the company inked franchise agreements with Mo'men food chain in Egypt and a joint venture in Iran, for processing and distribution of Al Islami products. As a result of the overwhelming success of Al Islami Cart in the UAE, launched during Gulfood 2007, the concept has now been introduced in Egypt, Iran and Malaysia. In Europe, Al Islami is in the final stage of signing a joint venture with 3663 First For Foodservice, the UK's $3 billion leading foodservice distributor, to tap into the UK's $4 billion halal food market with Al Islami's range of halal and nutrient products. At a later stage, the joint venture will cater to Muslim communities in continental Europe in a bid to create Al Islami's "Real Halal benchmark in the industry. "Scientifically proven health benefits of halal food have attracted an unprecedented demand for these products across the world, from both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers alike, which is expanding the halal market from local to global, Lootah added. Earlier this year, Al Islami Foods announced its strategic five-year regional and international expansion plan, product development and distribution efficiency as part of the company's new strategic vision.
