ShalomNewYork.com

New York… Israeli venture capitalists continue to eye the U.S. kosher market as a potential windfall. KosherToday has learned that a number of Israeli-based investors are looking at the U.S. kosher market as a “point of entry” into the lucrative U.S. food industry. Several have made adjustments to plans laid in the 90’s for realizing a peace dividend that has proven elusive in the volatile Middle East. They had at one time expected to expand their sales to the entire Middle East but that was not to be. They have also been thwarted in Europe by a strong Euro and other marketing factors that have made Israeli products less competitive. The names that are now frequently mentioned as potential suitors for kosher brands and stores are Dudi Weissman of Alon USA, Matthew Bronfman and Sholom Fisher of Bronfman-Fisher, Zvi Willinger, and, of course, the mega Israeli food manufacturers like Tnuva USA, Osem, and Strauss.KosherToday

Alon USA has never particularly focused on the kosher market although it is quite an expert in the area as a result of its ownership of the Blue Square supermarket chain in Israel. It launched its U.S. operations in 05 with a public valuation of $700 million, which is today worth around $2 billion. Bronfman and Fisher own the Super-Sol chain amongst their holdings and Willinger has recently purchased Laish, a distributor of Israeli kosher foods, a first step in expanding Willinger’s major role in the distribution of kosher foods. Israel’s major brands are eyeing expanding their lines in the U.S. and in one case is even considering opening a manufacturing plant here.

The Israeli influence, say kosher food industry officials that were interviewed by KosherToday, is only “in its infancy” in their financial maneuverings in this country, including the world of kosher. The Israelis are looking at diverse opportunities in manufacturing, brand acquisitions, and retail. KosherToday