(Kosher Today) The looming trade war between the U.S. and China is creating concern in the Chinese food industry, particularly in its lucrative sales of ingredients to the U.S. FoodPack. One of five shows last week at the Hi & Fi Asia-China invited Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, rabbinic administrator of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) and executive director of the Association of Kashrus Organizations (AKO), to speak on the theme of “The Impact of the Trade War between China and U.S. on Chinese Food Exports in Europe, Israel and North America Markets.”

China is a major market for kosher food manufacturers in Israel, North America and Europe and is a particular source for ingredients for kosher food companies. Major kosher certifications on three continents certify several thousand plants in China. Half of China’s $3 billion exports of food ingredients to the United States are kosher. The trade war may result in higher prices which may force manufacturers and others to seek alternative sources including South Korea, Cambodia and Vietnam. The higher prices may also force manufacturers and others to look at potential domestic sources where shipping and rabbinic supervision are far less expensive.