CEBU-BASED food manufacturer Virginia Foods, Inc., (VFI) will build a dedicated halal plant in Cebu as it sees good potential for this specialty market. Stanley Go, VFI vice-president for sales and marketing announced that works are now ongoing for the establishment of a halal plant and construction may start before the end of the year. Mr. Go said demand for halal products is growing in both the international and domestic markets. A study by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) shows that the global halal market is projected to grow to $1.6 trillion by 2018, with the food sector accounting for $630 billion. VFI is already exporting its various products in Dubai, Canada and Australia, primarily targeting the Filipino market in these countries. — The Freeman

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