Global Food Certification Market Size, Trend & Opportunity Analysis Report, by Industry (Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Products), Certification Type (ISO 22000 - Food Safety Management System, BRCGS, Halal Certification, GMP+/FSA, Other Certifications), and

Market Definition and Introduction

The global food certification market was valued at USD 7.13 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 19.15 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 9.40% during the forecast period (2024–2035). The complexities created by global food supply chain systems have necessitated food certification systems that ensure consumer confidence, trade compliance, and public health. While foodborne outbreaks have now become common and regulators hound for more oversight, businesses across the meat, poultry, seafood, and packaged food industries find that third-party certifications have become a necessity to assure safety and quality. Certifications act as trade compliance markers and business differentiators, enabling firms to enter international markets and win stronger consumer trust. They fulfil this function in a world where consumers have begun to scrutinise what ends up on their plates by working as badges of authenticity and reassurance.

The fast-growing sales for certifications are now more bolstered by culturally sensitive and diet-conscious global populations. The rising Muslim population is fuelling the demand for halal certifications, while all consumers' preferences for transparency in food processing are driving ISO 22000 and BRCGS standards. In the quest for liability protection and brand equity safeguard, large retailers, fast-food chains, and export-driven processors now even mandate certification in the supply chain. This has opened further doors for certifying bodies and food safety auditing firms to branch into newer service offerings using prop-techs such as blockchain traceability and AI-based risk assessments.

On the supply side, major certification bodies are investing in digital solutions to streamline audits, contain costs, and cut turnaround time. Technology implementation is transforming certification grant processes by AI, remote monitoring, and automated reporting, making them thus more efficient and less intrusive. Concurrently, the emerging harmonisation of regulatory frameworks under Codex Alimentarius and WTO trade agreements makes certification operationally necessary and a gateway to competitiveness on a global scale. The rapid expansion of this market demonstrates that food safety is becoming a strategic tool for business development and globalisation rather than merely compliance.

Recent Developments in the Industry

This increases efficiency and transparency in certification through the global motion towards digital audit platforms.

Bureau Veritas inaugurated its AI-enabled digital audit system for remote inspection of food facilities in 2024, reducing compliance timelines by 40% and enhancing traceability as a result of data validity checks converted in real-time.

Strategic partnerships strengthen food safety assurance in emerging markets.

SGS SA signed a MoU with the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) of India in June 2024 to enhance access to food certifications for domestic micro-exporters. The partnership sought to harmonise certification practices and facilitate access into international markets for local producers.

Halal certification propels worldwide trade growth for meat and poultry exports.

In March 2025, Intertek Group plc and the Middle East regulators established an advanced halal certification framework, providing additional future opportunities in exports for poultry producers in both Europe and Asia, where demand for halal products is peaking.

Redefining food trade dynamics worldwide in the Sustainable certification.

In November 2023, DNV launched a Sustainable Seafood Certification for aquaculture businesses that achieve ESG-driven production practices. This certification has now become the brand against which environmentally conscious seafood buyers in Europe and North America ground their selection.

Investment flows boost laboratory infrastructure for food certification services.

In July 2024, Eurofins Scientific invested USD 120 million toward building state-of-the-art laboratories across Asia-Pacific, expanding testing capabilities for antibiotic residues, allergens, and microbiological risks in further supporting stricter international trade compliance.

Gives a global regulatory environment for the harmonisation of certification across supply chains.

In February 2025, Codex Alimentarius will update its food safety management guidelines, using a new harmonised compliance framework to unite ISO 22000 and BRCGS standards. This regulatory milestone simplified pathways in certification for multinationals around the world in food production.

Market Dynamics

Worldwide, increasing consumer demand for food safety and quality assurance is driving global uptake of certification.

Consumers have been made aware of food quality, consequently giving a push to the rampant demand for the guarantee of safe and hygienic products. Cases of contamination and adulteration have raised the public's eyebrows; certifications widely accepted by the globe have thus become a necessity for companies to prove themselves. Retailers and distributors, on the other hand, favour certified suppliers instead, which is naturally driving certification as a business-critical priority ahead of choice. One such drastic momentum among consumers can be observed in the meat and seafood industries, where all controls necessary for processing and handling are paramount.

Mandatory certification is more like a consequence, triggered by tight compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Governments in both developed and developing markets have been tightening regulatory oversight on the food industry. The European Union expects traceability on food standards that fall under the General Food Law, while the US FDA's FSMA has very stringent conditions for certification audits of exports. Such frameworks compel manufacturers to embed certification systems and eliminate legal risks. Harmonisation of international trade laws maintains that certifications like ISO 22000 would act as passports to international business, especially for those exporters eyeing premium markets.

Considerably high certification costs and very complex audit procedures also suppress their uptake by SMEs.

Large corporations can manage these certification processes, while SMEs are usually fighting with the cost of audits, documentation, and infrastructure upgrading. Certification fees, plus the expenses for adjusting operations, become a major deterrent for SMEs, either in a low-margin market or generally. The awareness deficit, along with the lack of technical know-how, has severely restrained their adoption rates, hampering even broader reach in fragmented markets.

Technological innovations would foster the advancement of digital certification systems and smart compliance monitoring.

AI, blockchain, and IoT-enabled sensors are changing the landscape of food certification. Risk assessment, audit automation, and blockchain traceability improve trust and reduce the risks of fraud in certification. Investments into such innovations permit companies to smooth the compliance process and utilise certification as a marketing tool, thereby positioning themselves as leaders of transparency and accountability. This technology-driven paradigm shift presents certifying bodies with a great opportunity to diversify their relevance in an original digital era.

Globalisation of food supply chains is an arena that holds opportunities and threats for certification demand.

The increasing interdependence of global food supply chains puts the need for standard certifications on the front burner. It opens up the backdoor vulnerabilities in such a way that simple contamination incidents in one region can have a cascading effect across the globe. Certifications ensure that risks are minimised by creating an accountability context along supply chains. Hence, as global trade continues to intensify, especially in Asia with varying stages of markets from LAMEA, certifications become crucial conduits for facilitating cross-border trade, thus reinforcing their indispensable purpose in shaping the global food economy.

Attractive Opportunities in the Market

Halal Market Expansion – Rising global Muslim population is fuelling demand for halal-certified meat and poultry exports.
Tech-Enabled Audits – AI and blockchain adoption are revolutionising transparency and efficiency in certification processes.
Asia-Pacific Boom – Growing industrialisation and export growth spur certification demand in seafood and packaged foods.
Retailer Mandates – Global supermarkets increasingly demand certified suppliers to safeguard consumer trust and reduce liability.
Sustainability Push – ESG-focused certifications gain traction as buyers demand climate-conscious food production practices.
Digital Platforms – Online certification portals simplify audits and open access for small and medium food businesses.
Regulatory Alignment – Harmonisation of ISO 22000 and BRCGS creates streamlined certification for exporters worldwide.
Rising E-Commerce – Online food retail growth intensifies the need for credible certifications ensuring consumer safety and trust.
Seafood Certification Surge – Aquaculture expansion and export demand drive adoption of eco-friendly seafood certifications.
M&A Activity – Certification giants pursue acquisitions to expand laboratory networks and strengthen regional market presence.

Report Segmentation

By Industry: Meat, Poultry, Seafood Products

By Certification Type: ISO 22000 - Food Safety Management System, BRCGS, Halal Certification, GMP+/FSA, Other Certifications

By Region: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Africa Rest of Latin America)

Key Market Players

SGS SA, Intertek Group plc, Bureau Veritas, DEKRA SE, TÜV SÜD, ALS Limited, Eurofins Scientific, NSF International, Lloyd's Register, and DNV.

Report Aspects

Base Year: 2024
Historic Years: 2022, 2023, 2024
Forecast Period: 2024-2035
Report Pages: 293

Dominating Segments

ISO 22000 Certification Becomes Famous as the Universal Food Safety Management System in Various Supply Chains

Thanks to its worldwide uniformity and acceptance that crosses international trade barriers, ISO 22000 certification stands out as a leading document in food certification. It is a foundation for food safety, dictating that places from the inception of their services—say, from slaughterhouses to seafood processors—should appreciate the need for some preventive-risk and traceability management all over the supply chain. ISO 22000 enjoys a wonderful acceptability in global markets among giant multinational corporations, which want ISO 22000 to sustain international trade relations while calming HACCP allegiances. ISO 22000 certification, boasting the authority of Codex Alimentarius and WTO accession, can serve as a kind of travel document in the DGFT system for offering exporters access to some prime liberal trading nations, for instance, the European and Nordic markets. Besides, e-system integration of ISO certificates has further strengthened its reputation in real-time monitoring and compliance, thereby sealing its top-class standing in certification across the globe.

Halal Certification Emerges as the Fastest-Growing Segment in Trade in Meat and Poultry Products

Halal certification shows the highest growth rate owing to the reportedly fastest growth amongst Muslims worldwide and the need for halal-compliant products. It is most beneficial for meat and poultry exporters targeting the profitable markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and some North African locations. OIC countries are tightening their halal requirements to prevent a decline in exports by enforcing at least the internationally recognised certification frameworks. There is now a feeling (complete or purely instinctual) that halal certification becomes meat in jersey: Trade-relevant certifications are in demand and are associated with hygiene, ethical sourcing, and humane treatment of animals, thus expanding the importance now well beyond Muslim consumers. At the rate of halal food trade above USD 2 trillion by the year 2030, the certification providers are expected to compile many networks to fend off the demand.

Certifications in the Seafood Industry Stand Out in the Industry for Sustainability and Global Export Dependency, while Certifications are on the Rise

The marks for sustainable seafood are really coming into distinction from concerns on global trade with aquatic farming and sustainability. Certifications like MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) and DNV's sustainable seafood standards work as guarantees of compliance in terms of traceability, eco-labelling, and anti-IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated) fishing measures. As import standards in Europe and the USA have been rapidly tightening, certificates have become indispensable for Asian and Latin American seafood exporters. The growing demand for seafood from a sustainable source has prompted the uptake of certifications for retailers and foodservice, which are obligated to direct all verified suppliers to handle any reputational risk. Certifications for seafood are turning from tools for managing regulations into implements for mounting commercial pressure on market access and branding.

Key Takeaways

ISO 22000 Dominance – Widely recognised certification ensuring global acceptance for food safety compliance across supply chains.
Halal Certification Surge – Rapid growth driven by global Muslim demand and international meat and poultry exports.
Seafood Standards Growth – Sustainability-linked certifications gain traction amid global aquaculture expansion.
Tech Disruption – AI, blockchain, and remote audits transform certification efficiency and accessibility.
SME Challenges – High certification costs hinder adoption for small and mid-scale food businesses.
Retailer Enforcement – Supermarkets mandate certified suppliers, reshaping food industry compliance.
Global Trade Harmonisation – Unified ISO and BRCGS standards simplify certification for exporters.
Sustainability Priority – ESG-driven certifications emerge as differentiators in competitive food trade markets.
Asia-Pacific Leadership – Region dominates certification demand due to rapid industrialisation and export growth.
M&A Expansion – Certification leaders acquire regional firms to strengthen infrastructure and service reach.

Regional Insights

Data regulation and technology adoption in food certification methodologies remain on the path of North American leadership.

The stringency of federal legislation, like FSMA, demanding preventive controls and third-party audits on imports, supports the North American food certification space. In North America, where the retail system is highly policed and food export volumes are substantially regulated, certification is now a must-have in the United States. Digital audits and blockchain-based traceability innovations developed by the US greatly enhance the monitoring efficiency of certifying bodies. In addition, the widespread use of ISO 22000 and BRCGS systems is spurred by the presence of multinational corporations. Halal certifications have also gained popularity due to increased demand for various ethnic foods, putting North America in place as a vibrant, compliance-oriented market in the certification field.

Europe announces its leadership in sustainability and ecological certification standards for food supply chains.

According to consumer awareness and strict EU food safety laws, Europe has set the pace for green certifications. REACH regulations and the European Green Deal have hastened certification systems with respect to sustainability, waste reduction, and circular economy practices. Demand for halal certification is rising in France, Germany, and the UK, representing shifts in demographics. At the same time, seafood certifications have become the backbone of European import policies, thereby reaffirming our commitment to sustainability. Investments are heavily made by companies in these compliance technologies according to such standards as ISO 22000 and BRCGS. By placing a lot of emphasis on eco-labels and certification harmonisation, Europe serves as a benchmark market for certification models worldwide.

Asia-Pacific drives exponential growth, propelled by industrialisation, seafood exports, and halal market expansion.

Asia-Pacific remains the fastest-growing market for food certification, propelled by rising middle-class consumption, massive seafood exports, and the industrialisation of food processing. China, India, and Vietnam dominate the seafood trade, giving certifications a much-needed status for access to Western markets. In Malaysia, Indonesia, and India, demand for halal certification is surging, while Japan and South Korea focus on ISO and BRCGS certification for value food exports. There is a growing trend for local governments to team up with certifying bodies to standardise compliance frameworks that boost export competitiveness. Rapid urbanisation and digital adoption have put the Asia-Pacific at the centre stage of food certification opportunities globally.

LAMEA strengthens its foothold through halal dominance and growing exports in the meat and poultry industries.

In the LAMEA region, particularly the Middle East and North Africa, the demand for food certification is anchored around halal viability. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE have very stringent halal regulations, which make certifications a prerequisite for any exporters wishing to enter these lucrative markets. Meanwhile, Africa is slowly waking up to certification systems and emphasising ISO 22000 for food products exported to Europe. Seafood and poultry exports from Latin America are also driving the adoption of certification, particularly as global retailers seek sustainability-linked credentials. With governments in the area harmonising standards and forming trade partnerships, LAMEA is rapidly emerging as a certification-intensive market.

Core Strategic Questions Answered in This Report

Q. What is the expected growth trajectory of the food certification market from 2024 to 2035?

The global food certification market is projected to grow from USD 7.13 billion in 2024 to USD 19.15 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 9.40%. This growth is fuelled by regulatory mandates, consumer trust requirements, and the expanding halal and seafood trade.

Q. Which key factors are fuelling the growth of the food certification market?

Several key factors are propelling market growth:

Rising consumer awareness about food safety and hygiene standards
Increasing demand for halal and sustainability-linked certifications
Regulatory harmonisation across the WTO and Codex Alimentarius frameworks
Expansion of food exports from Asia-Pacific and Latin America
Adoption of AI and blockchain in certification processes

Q. What are the primary challenges hindering the growth of the food certification market?

Major challenges include:

High certification costs for SMEs and small-scale producers
Complex and lengthy audit procedures limit adoption
Resistance in fragmented markets due to a lack of awareness
Technological barriers in integrating digital certification solutions
Variability in certification enforcement across different regions

Q. Which regions currently lead the food certification market in terms of market share?

North America currently leads the food certification market due to strong regulatory enforcement and technological innovation. Europe follows closely, leading the world in eco-certifications and sustainability-linked standards. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market, while LAMEA dominates halal certification.

Q. What emerging opportunities are anticipated in the food certification market?

The market is ripe with new opportunities, including:

Expansion of halal certifications across Asia and Africa
Rapid adoption of digital certification platforms
Integration of ESG-focused certifications into supply chains
Increasing seafood certification demand due to sustainability concerns
Consolidation among certification leaders through mergers and acquisitions

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

The report offers a quantitative assessment of market segments, emerging trends, projections, and market dynamics for the period 2024 to 2035.
The report presents comprehensive market research, including insights into key growth drivers, challenges, and potential opportunities.
Porter's Five Forces analysis evaluates the influence of buyers and suppliers, helping stakeholders make strategic, profit-driven decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer relationships.
A detailed examination of market segmentation helps identify existing and emerging opportunities.
Key countries within each region are analysed based on their revenue contributions to the overall market.
The positioning of market players enables effective benchmarking and provides clarity on their current standing within the industry.
The report covers regional and global market trends, major players, key segments, application areas, and strategies for market expansion. Show more