加拿大对 Halal 肉类和产品的需求正在增加，其原因是加拿大穆斯林人口的增加，以及一般民众对于产品高品质的认识提高。很多主流公司看着这个机会，正在考虑如何满足穆斯林消费者。　　

St-Hubert公司考虑增添Halal 选项

　　其中一个这样的公司是 R魌isseries St-Hubert Ltd. A Quebec icon连锁餐厅，这是全省最大的本土连锁餐厅。它以其经济实惠的传统烤鸡和肋骨而闻名。据媒体报道，其所有者和管理层正在考虑是否要在菜单中添加 Halal 选项。

　　St-Hubert估计每年在餐厅销***4.2亿美元，它还计划在其他省份开放的餐厅。当考虑人口统计数据时，考虑增添有 Halal 认证的选项是有道理的。

预计加拿大穆斯林人口2030年达270万

　　穆斯林人口目前有94万。早些时候发表在华盛顿的皮尤论坛关于宗教与人生的一份报告预测，在加拿大的穆斯林人口，预计在未来20年超过三倍。他们预计到2030年，有270万穆斯林人口，或者说达总人口的6.6%。

　　有些企业是怕当他们介绍 Halal 用餐时，社会有的部分会有不好的反应。但是，这种反应往往是缺乏对伊斯兰信仰及其价值的认识的结果。一旦人们认识 Halal 产品的卫生，许多人比别人还更愿意选择 Halal 产品。

　　此外， Halal 食品企业也保存和创造就业机会。许多屠宰场和在美国的相关企业在濒临倒闭时，因着转向Halal 经营而得以存活。在诺福克，英国的欧洲 Halal 食品园，预计将创造500个新的就业机会。

　　Halal 食品市场存在着巨大的商机，很多穆斯林国家需大量从欧洲、澳大利亚、美国、新西兰、东南亚等国家进口肉、禽、乳制品及其他食物。

http://www.ifanca.org/newsletter/2011_11.htm

Demand For Halal Meat To Increase In Canada

The demand for halal meats and products is increasing in Canada as a result of both increases in the country's Muslim population as well as a growing awareness about its high quality in the general populace. Seeing opportunity many mainstream companies are contemplating how to accommodate the Muslim consumers.

One such company is the restaurant chain R魌isseries St-Hubert Ltd. A Quebec icon, it is largest homegrown chain in the province. It is famous for its affordable traditional roasted chicken and ribs. A chicken dinner for four people with fries, beverages, buns and barbecue sauce costs $27.95. A Caesar salad with chicken and mandarins is $9.75. According to media reports, its owners and management are weighing whether to add halal options to the menu.

St-Hubert has an estimated $420 million in restaurant sales a year, serving 35 million meals and generating about $280 million a year from sales of hundreds of different retail products. The chain is also planning to open restaurants in other provinces. Adding halal options makes sense when one considers the demographic data.

The Muslim population currently comprises of 940,000 or 2.8% of the nation抯 population. A report published earlier this year by the Washington based Pew Forum on Religion and Life predicted that the Muslim population in Canada is expected to triple over next 20 years. By 2030 they are expected to be 2.7 million or 6.6% of the total population.

Some businesses are afraid of the reactions by some sections of the society when they introduce halal meals. But such reactions are often a result of lack of awareness about the Islamic faith and its values. Once people realize the wholesomeness of halal products, many prefer them over others.

In addition, halal businesses also save and create jobs. Many slaughterhouses and related businesses in the US which were on the verge of closing down were saved when they switched their operations to halal. The European Halal Food Park in Norfolk, UK, is expected to create 500 new jobs.