Tanmiah and Griffith Foods Halal Food Innovation and Market Expansion

Tanmiah and Griffith Foods Partner to Revolutionize Halal Food Innovation and Market Expansion

The strategic alliance between Tanmiah Food Company and Griffith Foods, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 3, 2025, represents a pivotal development in the halal food industry, particularly within the Middle East. This partnership, announced amidst a backdrop of robust market growth and regional economic ambitions, is poised to drive innovation. Expand market reach, and align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Below, we provide a comprehensive analysis, drawing on detailed research and industry insights, to offer stakeholders a thorough understanding of the implications and potential of this collaboration.

Saudi Arabia: Key in Halal poultry market

• Tanmiah Food Company, established in 1962, is a leading halal protein provider in the Middle East, with a strong focus on poultry and food franchises like Popeyes. In 2024, it reported sales revenue of SAR 2.56 billion (US$684 million), up 22.5%, with operational profit at SAR 187 million (up 36.5%) and net profit at SAR 95.8 million (up 26.2%).
• Griffith Foods, founded in 1919, is a global leader in food ingredient solutions, operating in over 30 countries and specializing in seasonings, sauces, and alternative proteins, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

Partnership Details

The MoU outlines key areas of collaboration, including a supply agreement for innovative ingredients, a potential joint venture in Saudi Arabia, development of halal markets with an R&D center, and plans for a local halal ingredient production facility. Leaders from both companies, such as Amr Al-Dabbagh of Tanmiah and Brian Griffith of Griffith Foods, expressed optimism, highlighting goals of creating sustainable, nutritious products and serving underserved markets.

Background and Context

The halal food market is experiencing significant expansion, with projections indicating growth from USD 2,520.71 billion in 2025 to USD 5,232.86 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.56% (Halal Food Market Size to Strike USD 5,232.86 billion by 2033). This growth is fueled by an increasing global Muslim population, heightened awareness of food safety, and the rising credibility of halal certification standards, which also appeal to non-Muslim consumers seeking quality and ethical products. Within this context, the partnership between Tanmiah and Griffith Foods is strategically timed to capitalize on these trends.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes food security, sustainability, and economic diversification, further underscores the relevance of this collaboration. The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, is a critical market for halal products, with increasing demand for innovative, health-conscious, and sustainable food solutions, as highlighted at events like the Makkah Halal Forum 2025 (Tanmiah, Griffith Foods partners to boost Halal culinary innovation across Middle East).

Company Profiles

Tanmiah Food Company has a storied history, tracing its roots back to 1962, and has evolved into a market leader in halal protein, particularly poultry, with operations extending across the GCC and beyond. The company’s portfolio includes fresh and processed poultry, animal feed, and the operation of the Popeyes franchise in several countries. Financially, Tanmiah demonstrated robust performance in 2024, reporting sales revenue of SAR 2.56 billion (approximately US$684 million), a 22.5% increase from SAR 2.09 billion in 2023, as confirmed by recent reports (Tanmiah Foods reports growth in annual performance, new Brazilian collaboration | WATTPoultry.com). Operational profit reached SAR 187 million, up 36.5%, and net profit was SAR 95.8 million, reflecting a 26.2% rise, underscoring its financial stability and attractiveness as a partner.

Griffith Foods, established in 1919 and headquartered in Alsip, Illinois, USA, is a global leader in food ingredient solutions, with a presence in over 30 countries across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company specializes in seasonings, sauces, coatings, and alternative protein products, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and health. Its commitment to creating nutritious and sustainable food products aligns with global consumer trends, making it a complementary partner for Tanmiah (Griffith Foods | Global Food Product Development & Innovation).

Details of the Partnership

The MoU, set for a two-year duration, provides a structured framework to evaluate feasibility and initiate collaborative projects. Key areas of focus include:

• Supply Agreement: Griffith Foods will supply innovative ingredients to Tanmiah, enhancing and expanding its product offerings. This is expected to strengthen product availability and support growth in targeted segments, such as ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products.

• Commercial Joint Venture: The potential establishment of a joint venture in Saudi Arabia aims to optimize operations, share resources, and expand market reach. This venture will focus on identifying new growth opportunities and developing comprehensive business strategies to enhance operational and product development capabilities.

• Halal Markets Development: Recognizing the increasing demand for halal solutions, the partnership will enhance halal ingredient production capabilities. A significant initiative is the establishment of a state-of-the-art R&D center in Saudi Arabia, dedicated to food innovation, product formulation, and the development of healthier, more sustainable halal products for regional and global markets. This aligns with industry trends, as evidenced by the Makkah Halal Forum 2025 discussions.

• Manufacturing Buildout: Plans include assessing the feasibility of constructing a local production facility in Saudi Arabia for 100% halal ingredients. This move is anticipated to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce reliance on imports, and enhance product quality, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of food security and self-sufficiency.

Company leaders have expressed strong optimism about the partnership. Amr Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of Tanmiah, stated: “By integrating Griffith Foods’ century-old expertise in product development and innovation with our regional capabilities, we are looking to empower food manufacturers across MENA to create halal, nutritious, authentic, healthy, and sustainable recipes that cater to unique regional tastes” (Tanmiah, Griffith Foods partners to boost Halal culinary innovation across Middle East). Brian Griffith, Chairman of Griffith Foods, added: “This collaboration aligns with our aspirations of partnering to create sustainable food system networks, developing nutritious and sustainable food products, and creating new markets to serve the underserved.”

Potential Impacts

For Tanmiah, the partnership offers significant opportunities for diversification. By integrating Griffith Foods’ expertise in alternative proteins and innovative ingredients, Tanmiah can reduce its reliance on traditional poultry products and enter new categories, catering to evolving consumer preferences for health-conscious, ethical slaughter of the animals, in contrast to the automatized systematic and standard electric-shock practices in the poultry processing industry.

This diversification is crucial in a market where demand for cost-effective proteins are rising, as noted in recent market analyses (Halal Food Market Size, Growth & Forecast 2023 to 2033). Additionally, the partnership will expand Tanmiah’s regional distribution, leveraging Griffith’s global reach to access new export markets.

For Griffith Foods, the alliance provides a strategic entry point into the Middle East’s halal market, utilizing Tanmiah’s established distribution network and market knowledge. This approach minimizes risks associated with independent market entry and accelerates expansion in a region with significant growth potential, estimated at over 48.5% market share in Asia Pacific by 2024 (Halal Food Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Product, Distribution Channel, and Region 2025-2033).

From an industry perspective, the partnership is poised to drive halal culinary excellence, aligning with global trends toward sustainability, health, and ethical consumption. By fostering innovation through the proposed R&D center and local production facility, Tanmiah and Griffith Foods can set new standards in the halal food sector, contributing to the broader goals of food security and economic diversification under Vision 2030. This collaboration could also inspire similar partnerships, enhancing competition and innovation across the industry.

Financial and Market Analysis

Tanmiah’s financial performance in 2024, with a 22.5% increase in sales revenue to SAR 2.56 billion and significant profit growth, positions it as a financially stable partner capable of supporting ambitious expansion plans. The company’s ability to maintain strong margins, despite market challenges, is evidenced by its operational profit of SAR 187 million (up 36.5%) and net profit of SAR 95.8 million (up 26.2%), as reported in recent financial disclosures (Tanmiah Foods reports growth in annual performance, new Brazilian collaboration | WATTPoultry.com).

Griffith Foods’ global operations and focus on sustainability further complement Tanmiah’s regional strengths, creating a synergy that could drive cost efficiencies and market penetration. The halal food market’s projected growth, with a CAGR of 9.56% through 2033, suggests a favorable environment for this partnership to thrive, particularly in regions with high Muslim populations and increasing demand for certified products.

Conclusion

The MoU between Tanmiah Food Company and Griffith Foods is a strategically significant step with high potential to benefit both companies and the broader halal food industry. By aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and capitalizing on industry trends, the partnership is poised to drive innovation, expand market reach, and elevate standards in the halal food sector. The positive endorsements from company leaders and the alignment with regional and global trends suggest a promising outlook for long-term success and growth, offering stakeholders a compelling opportunity to engage with a transformative alliance in the food industry.