Industry Experts Expect More Changes in Kosher Poultry

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kosher-valleyThe departure of Hain from the kosher poultry scene is the beginning of a shake-out in kosher poultry,” a leading distributor of kosher beef and poultry predicted. In interviews with several purveyors and

distributors, KosherToday learned that the landscape for kosher poultry continued to evolve and that at least one or two other established producers were “shaky.”

Hain announced that its Kosher Valley brand will be sold to Empire Kosher Poultry, which is said to have improved its sales in recent months, largely due to increased production by major distributors who are slaughtering at the Mifflintown, PA plant.

Empire, the long-time leader in kosher poultry, had faced stiff competition from increased production by existing producers and the emergence of several purveyors that targeted the strictly Orthodox market.

AgriStar, the successor to Agriprocessors, continued to compete in the poultry market as did relative newcomers like KJ Poultry in Monroe, NY. Industry sources noted that while sales of kosher poultry will continue to rise in the Orthodox community, it is declining in other markets. “I think when everything is said and done there will continue to be a strong demand for kosher poultry, but at present there may very well be a glut,” a leading expert said.

Industry officials were also curious about why the Kosher Valley brand did not succeed in the current health-conscious environment. The brand was the first all-natural kosher poultry product to be antibiotic-free (ABF), vegetarian fed and humanely raised. It featured modern and well received packaging and stood out as a higher-end product. Yet, say the officials the demand for the natural chickens was not as expected and consumers demonstrated once again that price is a major factor in their purchasing decision.

Empire says that it will continue to produce the chicken and some experts predict that all-natural branded chicken and turkey products will continue to gain share in the kosher market.

{KosherToday/Matzav.com Newscenter}


3 COMMENTS

  1. One of the reasons it failed was their location. It was too far for Shoichtim & Mashgichim to be able to travel back & forth at will, so they had to use who ever was available.

  2. The main it failed is because their pricing was all over the map. Some places they charged $1.49/lb, other places $3.29.

    Also, they were not prepared to invest in the brand. Their costs were very high – lots of labor costs – and they couldn’t make it up in volume.

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