Israeli Rabbinate Expands Training to Address Kosher Slaughter Shortage Amid Rising Meat Prices

The Chief Rabbinate of Israel has approved a new plan to immediately resume practical exams for kosher slaughtering professions, aiming to alleviate a critical shortage of certified slaughterers and team leaders in the kosher meat industry. This decision comes after a prolonged period in which the training of new personnel failed to meet the growing demand from meat importers. The initiative is expected to enable dozens of professionals to advance and certify new team leaders, a role currently in severe shortage and considered the most expensive in the kosher slaughter system abroad.

The plan includes conducting practical exams for candidates who have already passed theoretical tests and met promotion requirements, as well as a temporary certification track for team leaders, subject to professional and halachic standards. Hundreds of candidates took the theoretical exams in July and August, with another round planned for September and October. Previously, the industry faced a shortage of fewer than 1,000 certified slaughterers, with many senior team leaders aged 70 to 80 and few replacements entering the field.

Importers revealed that team leaders, who once earned tens of thousands of shekels monthly, now demand around 250,000 shekels per month for the 2025 slaughter season, with some asking for even higher salaries. Other team roles also saw significant pay increases, with inspectors earning 100,000 to 120,000 shekels and slaughterers about 80,000 shekels monthly, plus travel and accommodation expenses.

The kosher meat market in Israel heavily relies on imports, which accounted for approximately 60% of supply in 2024. Around 15 importers operate about 20 slaughter teams each season. The high costs of kosher certification, previously 3-4% of meat costs, have in some cases exceeded 20%. While increasing the number of certified slaughterers may reduce bargaining power and potentially lower costs for importers, this does not guarantee lower consumer prices, as wages and conditions are set by importers, not the Rabbinate.

In parallel, the Rabbinate announced plans last November to establish additional slaughter schools and recruit teams domestically and internationally through accelerated programs. Discussions with the Finance Ministry also considered recognizing foreign slaughter teams already working overseas to reduce the need for Israeli teams to travel abroad. Meanwhile, the Israeli meat market is undergoing changes, including Shufersal's plan to import meat directly from South America to reduce intermediaries and strengthen its private brand. Regulatory disputes continue, such as the removal of a Brazilian poultry plant from the approved import list, affecting companies like Baladi, which also faces legal challenges regarding kosher poultry slaughter abroad.

Consumer prices for poultry and beef have risen sharply in recent years, with poultry prices up about 30% and beef prices about 20% over five years. The Rabbinate views expanding the number of slaughterers as a direct and significant measure to combat the high cost of living and kosher meat prices in Israel. Yehuda Avidan, acting CEO of the Rabbinate, emphasized the move's importance in reducing living costs and kosher meat prices nationwide.