Alimentos Kosher

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

GAIN Report
Global Agriculture Information Network
Template Version 2.09

Voluntary Report - public distribution Date: 9/22/2005 GAIN Report Number: IS5012 IS5012

Israel Kosher Foods Israeli Kosher Food Market 2005
Approved by: Fred Giles U.S. Embassy CAIRO Prepared by: Yossi Barak

Report Highlights: The Israeli food market totals $13 billion, ofwhich $2.5 billion is imported. The United States holds 25 percent of the import share, with an increasing share of value-added products. Specialty and branded products are expanding and continue to draw an increasing market share. There is strong potential for sales of value-added products.
Includes PSD Changes: No Includes Trade Matrix: No Unscheduled Report Tel Aviv [IS1] [IS]

GAIN Report -IS5012 Table of Contents Executive Summary Section I. The Market The World’s Largest Kosher Market Consumption & Supply Table 1. Average Household Expenditure on Food Israel’s Economic Growth Table 2. Key Indicators in the Economy of Israel Imports Table 3. Total Food Imports and US Share 2000-2004 Table 4. Total Food and Raw Materials in the Food Industry Table 5. Most Valuable Imports from US in2004 Section II. Kosher Distinctions Israeli Law & Practice The Chief Rabbinate Special Products Wine Meat & Poultry Special Ultra-Orthodox Kosher Certification Trade Policy Issues Section III. Marketing Channels Table 6. Household Expenditure on Food by Type of Outlet The Institutional Market Importers Section IV. Sector by Sector – Prospects for Kosher Exporters Frozen Beef Frozen Poultry FreshFrozen & Prepared Fish Dried Fruits Tree Nuts Bakery Goods Sauces Snacks Beverages Wine Section V. Tariffs, Taxes and other Regulations Tariffs & Fees Taxes Regulatory Issues Licensing Procedures – TRQ Health Regulations Standards Phytosanitary Regulations Section VI. Annexes Annex 1. Total and US Imports by HS Chapter Annex 2. Average Retail Prices of Selected Foods Annex 3. Useful EmailAddresses

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UNCLASSIFIED

USDAForeign Agricultural Service

GAIN Report - IS5012 Executive Summary

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The State of Israel constitutes the largest market for kosher food in the world. Over 60 percent of the Jewish population, over 5.5 million people, maintains some degree of kosher observance in the home. Israel’s overall food, feed, beverage and tobacco market was estimated at over $12.9 billion in 2003, 5percent higher than the previous year. Almost 75 percent of this market value is supplied by Israel’s own food manufacturers. In 2004, imports of food and agricultural products totaled $2.49 billion; imports from the United States totaled $600 million and represented 24 percent of all food, feed, beverage and tobacco imports. Each of the 1.9 million households in Israel spends an average $4,801 annuallyon food products – a $9.1 billion retail market. An additional amount, estimated at $3.8 billion per year, is spent on institutional consumption, including hospitals, schools, homes for the elderly, the police and the army. The largest categories for imported products are feed grains, oilseeds and miscellaneous edible preparations of Harmonized System Chapter 21. In these categories, the UnitedStates is by far the leading supplier. Except for meat and poultry and their products, Israeli law does not require imports to be kosher. However, the major supermarket chains, most independent retailers, and almost all institutional purchasers are required to purchase only kosher-certified products. In the cities and some suburban areas, there has been a growing number of specialty stores,...