Halal meat has become a staple for Muslim communities in Canada, offering assurance that the food they consume complies with Islamic dietary laws. Yet, many consumers notice that Halal-certified products are often priced higher than conventional meat found in mainstream supermarkets. Understanding the reasons behind this price difference helps consumers appreciate the added value of Halal meat, both in terms of quality and religious compliance.

Comparison of Halal vs. Conventional Meat Costs and Practices

Aspect	Halal Meat	Conventional Meat
Slaughter Method	Manual, with prayer and strict compliance	Automated, industrial processes
Certification	Requires Halal authority oversight & fees	No religious certification needed
Segregation	Separate equipment & storage to avoid mixing	Shared facilities, no segregation required
Scale of Production	Smaller, niche market	Large-scale, mass production
Price Range in Canada	Higher (e.g., Zabiha Halal, Sargent Farms)	Lower (e.g., Walmart generic meat)
Consumer Value	Religious compliance, humane practices	Affordable, widely available

Key factors affecting the availability of halal meat in Canada:

• Strict Import Regulations: Imported halal meat is subject to rigorous inspection and food safety procedures, increasing costs and impacting its availability in local markets.
• Halal Labeling Requirements: Using the word “halal” on products requires adherence to clear rules and precise standards, placing additional responsibilities on companies regarding documentation and oversight.
• Regulatory Bodies: The presence of specialized regulatory bodies to monitor producers’ compliance with halal standards adds a layer of trust for consumers, but also increases production costs.
• Low Number of Halal-Certified Slaughterhouses: Compared to conventional slaughterhouses, the significantly smaller number of halal-certified facilities puts pressure on production and leads to higher prices.
• Supply chains for small businesses: Local shops and butchers rely on wholesale suppliers, whose prices are often higher than those of large distribution chains, which is passed on to the end consumer.
• Major brands in the Canadian market, companies such as Zabiha Halal and Sargent Farms, operate on a smaller scale than traditional suppliers, which makes the unit cost higher and affects the final price.