Israeli Supreme Court Sets Four-Month Deadline for Rabbinical Approval of Brazilian Chicken Imports

The Israeli Supreme Court has mandated that the Chief Rabbinate must approve the import of chicken from Brazil within four months. This ruling came after the Rabbinate requested an additional 120-day extension to finalize recommendations for the Rabbinate Council. Justices Yael Wilner, Ofer Groskopf, and Ruth Ronen granted the extension but emphasized that approval must be given at the end of this period, rejecting the Rabbinate's request for an indefinite delay.

The decision follows a petition filed by meat importer Baladi in July last year, demanding the Rabbinate approve the import of kosher frozen chicken from a Brazilian plant Baladi invested 21 million shekels in. The court noted that the Rabbinate had only held one discussion on the matter in two months and had not advanced a formal approval framework. The ruling signals the court's expectation that the Rabbinate will open the market to imports.

The delay has contributed to rising chicken prices in Israel, where chicken consumption is notably high at about 49 kilograms per person annually, compared to the global average of 21.8 kilograms. Since 2020, prices for popular chicken cuts have surged by over 25% to 42%, with no alternative supply options available. The Chief Veterinary Officer had approved Baladi's plant for import, but resigned amid disagreements with the Agriculture Ministry's director general. Local poultry farmers have also opposed the imports through administrative petitions.

If the Rabbinate approves Baladi's import plan, it is expected to positively impact fresh chicken prices for Israeli consumers. The Supreme Court's ruling aims to end prolonged bureaucratic delays and facilitate market competition in the poultry sector.