Overview of the Kosher Market – from ‘Paddock to Plate’
An integrated marketing survey conducted in 2001 in the USA showed that while the majority of Kosher consumers are Jewish (44%) the second largest group of Kosher consumers (27%) are those concerned with what they eat and believe that Kosher produce is better because of the independent auditing that a Kosher certification signifies.

Other significant Kosher consumers are Moslems, Seventh Day Adventists and those who require a specific diet such as the lactose intolerant, vegetarian and vegan.

Kosher Consumer Numbers
The number of Kosher consumers has risen from 6 million in 1988 to more than 10.5 million in 2002. It is projected that by 2005 there will be 14 million Kosher food consumers worldwide.

A recent report released by the Department of Trade from the Philippines (July 2003) estimates the value of the retail Kosher food market at $US 150 billion with an average growth rate of 15% per annum. This growth had been consistent since 1984.

A CBS Marketwatch report (2002) valued the entire Kosher food market at more than $US 570 billion.
Other features include:

• 28% of all products sold in the US are kosher certified.
• 75% of all ingredients manufactured are kosher certified.
• There are currently more than 75,000 different Kosher consumer food products.
• US supermarkets carry approximately 13,000 Kosher products lines on their shelves.
• Supermarkets report that generic kosher certified brands demonstrate 6% growth as opposed to 2% in non kosher equivalents.
• Over 10,000 companies in U.S.A. currently produce products for the Kosher market.
• Each year 3,000 new products are introduced into the Kosher market in U.S.A.

The Australian Market
As a food exporter, Australia is the 11th largest in the world and growing. Due to stringent quarantine laws, Australia has a well-deserved reputation as a clean food producer. Kosher certification ensures better marketability of products for export, and is almost mandatory for export to the US. Locally, while there are only 105,000 Jews (based on the 2001 census), the combined Moslem, Hindu and Buddhist markets number over 700,000. An as yet untapped market is the Greek Orthodox market that observes Sarandamero or Nestea in Greek (fasting) for three periods each year totalling 105 days each year. This broadly involves restrictions against meat, fish and their derivatives. There are more than 400,000 adherents in Australia.

The total market for those who may select Kosher products due to dietary requirements in Australia exceeds 1.1 million. A 1997 survey conducted by Agribusiness showed that if the premium cost to consumers for organic products was less than 20%, 92% of people would prefer organic food. This is an indicative trend in customer discernment.

Based on a survey conducted by the Zionist Federation of Australia, 48% of all Jews are either strictly kosher or will select kosher if given the option. In addition, Kosher caterers prepare upwards of 300,000 meals annually.

“It is perceived that the Kosher sector has good prospects in Australia as the general population becomes more aware of the processes required to certify food as Kosher and perceive them to be healthier and of higher quality.”

- US Dept of Agriculture, October 1999

What is the Cost of Kosher?

“There is usually no increase in the price of the product due to its kosher certification, because the cost of certification is generally met by increased sales. In over 45 years, fewer than 12 companies discontinued their certification programs because sales did not increase. Thus, kosher supervision benefits the manufacturer and the consumer, who can be confident that foods may be consumed without violating the kosher standards.”  

- Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbinic Administrator of the Kosher Certification Division of the Orthodox Union.

A recent survey of Kosher Australia clients found that the ongoing cost of certification on average represented less than one tenth of one percent in the dollar cost of production.

Independence
A Kosher Accreditation is an independent audit of production processes and ingredients. A recent Choice Magazine article (“Labels Don’t Always Help” 10/99) indicates that without an independent accreditation such as Kosher certification, the consumer remains unaware of many additives or processing aids in the manufacture of goods. And unlike most other endorsements, a product is certified as being Kosher only if it meets all ingredient and production criteria and has undergone a site audit.

"It's been our experience that people associate the word kosher with quality and purity so it helps us sell our product even to the non-kosher, non-Jewish community"

- Bruce Mills, vice president of operations and marketing for My Grandma's of New England, who notes that 95% of his customers are not Jewish.

A Business Plan
Once your product is Kosher Certified, it is listed in the Australian Kosher Food Bulletin (AKFB). The AKFB is published yearly with regular updates and sent to thousands of homes, schools and community organisations in Australia and Asia. It is also available in Palm format and may be searched on this website.

If your product is available for the Food Service industry, you will be listed in our Caterers’ Bulk and Wholesale Bulletin. Only products listed in the Caterers’ Bulletin are permitted for use at Kosher catered functions. The Kosher catered market in Australia numbers more than 300,000 heads each year. Our caterers also prepare more than 30,000 airline meals per annum. We also work closely with Kosher food outlets to ensure that your product is available locally and gains as wide a distribution as possible.

In addition to the AKFB, we list your product with international Kosher certifiers in the US, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Downloads for manufacturers

1. What does Kosher Mean? An overview of requirements for Kosher Certification.
2. A Profile of the Kosher Food Market
3. Kosher Australia Information Sheet
4. Certification Checklists
      - Company Checklist
      - Facility Checklist