What factors determine the purchase intention of ḥalāl products by Porto-Muslim consumers?

Purpose: This article aims to identify and discuss the drawbacks faced by Muslim consumers to consume ḥalāl products when living in cities where they are a minority group. For this study, we considered the Muslim population living in Porto, Portugal. This study also aims to understand the attributes of the Muslim consumer that drive the purchase intention of ḥalāl products. Methodology: A survey was carried out to understand the problems and the opportunities of the Muslim Community living in Porto and analyze the drivers that motivate them to buy ḥalāl Products. The sample consisted of 173 valid responses. The research applied the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework. Findings: The results of the multiple regression analysis indicate that the subjective norm has a positive and significant influence on the intention to purchase ḥalāl food among Muslims living in Porto. Furthermore, there is evidence of a lack of adequate supply of ḥalāl -certified products in Porto. Significance: There are few studies about the consumption habits of Muslim consumers in cities where they are a minority group, where access to ḥalāl products is limited. This study aims to contribute to this discussion. Limitations: As the objective of this research was to identify and discuss the drawbacks faced by consumers in a minority group, the sample size in this study is small. Therefore, the generalization of the findings is limited. Our results showcase the relevance of subjective norm on purchase intention, even in conditions where the supply of ḥalāl foods is limited. Practical Implication: Our results indicate that the supply of ḥalāl products is limited in Porto, Portugal, and Muslim consumers’ demand for such products is still unmet, allowing companies to invest in targeting this market.