Halal Cold Chain Logistics for Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in Terengganu’s Agro-Fisheries Sector

This study investigates the critical intersection of halal cold chain logistics and food security in the agro-fisheries sector of Terengganu, Malaysia, a state rich in natural resources yet limited by infrastructural and regulatory inefficiencies. Adopting a qualitative research design grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Institutional Theory, twenty key stakeholder, including fishers, agropreneurs, logistics providers, halal auditors, and regulatory officials, were interviewed using semi-structured methods. Thematic analysis revealed four core challenges: inadequate cold storage infrastructure, knowledge and training deficits in halal compliance, inconsistent regulatory enforcement in rural areas, and fragmented supply chain integration. These challenges not only threaten the integrity of halal certification but also undermine public health and food accessibility. Nevertheless, opportunities emerged in the form of mobile cold storage innovations, cooperative supply models, and digitized traceability systems, which were perceived by participants as potential game changers. The study further conceptualizes a framework linking cold chain availability, halal knowledge, and regulatory enforcement to halal logistics practices and, ultimately, food security outcomes. These findings contribute to the growing discourse on halal logistics and offer practical insights for policymakers, supply chain managers, and Islamic regulatory bodies aiming to enhance the quality and resilience of rural halal supply systems. By addressing logistical and institutional gaps, Terengganu’s agro-fisheries sector stands to improve not only economic output but also uphold religious values critical to Muslim-majority markets. Future research should consider quantitative testing of this framework across other rural economies in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.