Why Get Kosher Certified
Demand for kosher-certified products keeps growing, and the kosher symbol now reaches buyers far beyond the Jewish market.
The market
The Kosher Market Today
Market researchers value the global kosher food market at around USD 22.8 billion in 2025 and expect it to reach USD 29.7 billion by 2034 (IMARC Group). Estimates vary between research firms.
North America remains the largest market, accounting for 55.6% of all kosher food and beverage launches between July 2021 and June 2022. The Middle East & Africa is a fast-growing region: kosher launches there grew 9.0% a year between 2017 and 2022 (Innova Market Insights).
Some newer categories are growing fast: launches of meat substitutes with a kosher claim grew 16.9% a year, and alcoholic beverages 13.8% a year, over the same period (Innova Market Insights).
In order to meet this demand, companies throughout the world are seeking kosher certification in order to expand their existing markets and enhance sales strategies. Many of these companies are choosing STAR-K Kosher Certification and are enjoying the marketing privileges this certification offers. The STAR-K symbol can open new marketing avenues never before realized.
Sources: IMARC Group, Kosher Food Market report (updated June 2026); Innova Market Insights launch data, July 2017 to June 2022, via Anuga.
The buyers
Who Buys Kosher?
Millions of people around the world limit their food consumption according to a wide array of criteria, including health, food safety, taste, and religious or other dietary reasons. Many of these people specifically seek out the kosher symbol as a trustworthy means of ensuring that these criteria are being addressed.
The appeal of kosher foods transcends the interest of any one specific ethnic group. Consumers of kosher foods include Jews, Muslims, and members of various Christian sects, vegetarians, those suffering from celiac and lactose intolerance, and the many who simply believe that “kosher is better.”
A Mark of Quality Assurance and Reassurance
Gone are the days when food was purchased indiscriminately, merely on the basis of taste or eye appeal. Consumers examine the ingredient panel of products, as well as the nutritional information prominently displayed on the label. They are extremely concerned about the food they eat, questioning manufacturing processes, as well as the choice of ingredients used. The kosher symbol, with the monitoring and care it represents, ensures the highest quality standards to the largest and most diverse consumer audience.
The kosher symbol on a label represents more than a product that conforms to religious standards. It is viewed as a mark of quality and an added safeguard, tantamount to the famous “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.”
“At first I thought that kosher meant food for Jewish people. Now I realize that people equate kosher with quality.”
Who Else Looks for the Kosher Symbol
Vegetarians
Vegetarians, who exclude meat, poultry and fish from their diet, often look for the kosher symbol. A product marked ‘Pareve’ contains no meat or dairy ingredients — a useful first check, although pareve products may still contain fish or eggs.
The Jewish Market
Religious Jews represent only a small fraction of the overall kosher market — most people who buy kosher do so for other reasons.
Other Religious Denominations
Seventh Day Adventists and other Christian groups share some of the dietary restrictions found in Judaism; pork, for example, is not permitted. Many use the kosher symbol as a helpful guide when choosing meat and other foods.
Celiac and Other Gluten-Restricted Diets
People with celiac disease must avoid gluten in wheat, spelt, barley and rye. Many kosher-for-Passover products use potato starch instead of grain, and some carry a gluten-free label — but kosher for Passover alone does not mean gluten-free.
Lactose Intolerant
Kosher law keeps meat and milk apart, so any product with a dairy ingredient carries a “D” beside the kosher symbol. People avoiding dairy use its absence, or ‘Pareve’, as a first guide — but it is not an allergen guarantee.
Marketing Your Kosher Products
The kosher market abounds with opportunities for the food industry. STAR-K urges you to explore how products bearing the kosher symbol can be a part of your sales and marketing strategy. The STAR-K can act as a liaison between your company and the kosher market. It can direct you to global markets and help you achieve the marketing edge you’re looking for.
With its respected international staff, its hallmark global acceptance, personalized service, and impeccable standards, STAR-K Kosher Certification can provide you with that competitive edge in the kosher market.
Ready to Reach the Kosher Market?
Request an application and take advantage of the STAR-K’s no-obligation feasibility study, which is offered free of charge. The staff of STAR-K welcomes the opportunity to serve you.