Secaucus NJ – Many New Buyers at Kosherfest ’08 as Show Celebrates 20th Year [exclusive photos]

Secaucus, NJ – The 20th edition of Kosherfest opens today amidst growing reports of shortages of glatt kosher meat.

Nearly 7,000 trade buyers and exhibitors from 28 nations are gathering here for what organizers say is an “an impressive showcase of an industry that continues to grow year by year.”

The show is being held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, the site of the show’s initial successes before moving to New York’s Javits Convention Center for five years. Co-produced by Diversified Business Communications of Portland, ME and LUBICOM Marketing Consulting of Brooklyn, NY.

Kosherfest has takeen up the entire space at the convention center and a significant amount of space in the neighboring hotels. Just minutes from New York City, it is also significantly less costly for exhibitors and visitors, primarily for its convenient parking.

Despite the fall-out from the bankruptcy of Agriprocessors, the nation’s largest producer of glatt kosher meat, the kosher industry continued its double-digit growth with a record 110,000 food items bearing kosher symbols.

Amongst the trade registrants whp are visiting Kosherfest are many new buyers from supermarket chains and large discount chains, say the organizers.

At least 300 new products are on display at the show with a special emphasis on products that appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Many buyers are focusing on Passover, which this year begins on the eve of April 8th and accounts for nearly 40% of annual sales for koshers foods. But many food marketers say that they have been able to increase business on other holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, Purim, Yom Haatzmaut and Shavuoth.