Manufacturers are increasingly seeking kosher certification to meet demand locally and in export markets.
Yankel Wajsbort, General Manager at kosher certification agency Kosher Australia, says the estimated value of the kosher market in Australia is $600 million annually, with several trends driving growth.
“Due to the various free trade agreements signed, Australia manufacturers have gained access to markets where kosher is seen as a requirement, such as the US and Israel,” he said.
Locally, kosher has been driven vertically, top down through the supply chain.
“Since the major supermarkets have started to focus on kosher and have included kosher as a preference, manufacturers are hopping on the bandwagon,” says Mr Wajsbort.
“As the perception that kosher represents an additional level of food safety and quality grows, more companies are seeking kosher certification to present that level of quality assurance.”
Kosher is the set of Jewish dietary laws set out in the Bible and Code of Jewish Law that govern ingredients and production processes. It covers which animal species, poultry and fish can be consumed, the mixing of meat and dairy, and the making of wine and cheese products.
Kosher rules also govern sharing equipment, and sterilisation requirements between production runs.
According to Kosher Australia, more than 1100 manufacturers are kosher certified in Australia and New Zealand.
Read the article by Hailey Settineri in Retail World.