The Ministry of Agriculture provides some figures addressing the ingestion of fish by Israelis, a dish that is seen on many Yomtov table on Rosh Hashanah. The average Israeli will eat 19kg (41.8 pounds) a year. Towards Rosh Hashanah, the demand for fish increased 35%. In 2017, Israelis ate 15.8kg (34.8 pounds) of apples on average.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Fish Farmers Association published some data on the fish industry ahead of Rosh Hashanah. On average, Israelis eat 1.6kg (3.5 pounds) of fish and fist products a month, with about a quarter of that quantity being fresh fish. During the month before Rosh Hashanah, the consumption increases to about 2.1kg (4.6 pounds) a person.

Towards Rosh Hashanah, the Ministry of Agriculture expects increased marketing activity, with the leading fish in sales during this period being the tilapia (Amnon in Israel), about 46% of all fish sales [according to sales figures from the largest marketing networks in 2018]. Following Tilapia is salmon, without about 25% of the market, followed by carp in third place and Dennis in fourth place.

Also, in 2018, approximately 172,000 tons of fish and their products were consumed (as whole fish), and most fish consumed in Israel, about 85%, 135,000 tons, are imported (most fish & frozen fish products) and 21,000 tons of domestic are produced locally. Domestic fish production is divided in three sources: Fishponds (about 16,000 tons), fishing vessels and sea cages (2,500 tons) and fishing in the Mediterranean and the Kinneret (2,500 tons).

Following is a list with the average price per kilogram of leading fishes based on prices before Rosh Hashanah 5778, last year.

· Amnon (vacuum packed) NIS 25.10

· Amon (fresh) 22.67

· Bakala/cod (in a bag) 17.03

· Carp (fresh) 20.30

· Tuna (bagged) 39.58

· Merloza (bagged) 24.27

· Nile (bagged) 43.27

· Sole (bagged) 23.69

· Salmon (vacuum) 67.50

· Salmon (fresh) 65.30

· Buri (Mullet) (fresh) 37.92

Meat

The ministry adds the average Israeli eats 15.4kg (34 pounds) of beef annually, which includes both fresh and frozen. In 2018, Israelis used 137,000 tons of beef, with 44% of the shechita taking place in Israel, and 56% imported. During the month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, there is a 44% increase as compared to the remainder of the year.

In recent years, two reforms have been implemented to increase the volume of imports of slaughtered meat to Israel. One is the opening of the import of fresh and chilled meat from other European countries to Israel, such as Poland and Ireland. The second reform is to extend the shelf life of the fresh and chilled meat that allows imports from distant countries. In light of these reforms, the marketing networks can see an increase in fresh and high-quality meat consumption at the expense of frozen meat.

Furthermore, in the chiken industry, domestic consumption of fresh chicken is the highest in the word and stands at about 64.9kg (143 pounds) per capita, while the average consumption in OCEC (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries is estimated at 30.6kg (67.4 pounds) a year, and in the US, about 50kg (119 pounds) and EU countries are about 23.6kg (52 pounds). The global average is estimated at only 14.2kg (31.3 pounds). Today, about 500 breeders operate in the chicken industry.

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, consumption is up by about 19.2% (based on 2018 sales data analysis).

Pomegranates

According to the ministry’s date, in 2019, it is estimated that the crops is estimated at be about 50,000 tons, the largest the state of Israel has even known.

For many years, the pomegranate industry was mainly focused on marketing whole pomegranates during the Tishrei Yomim Tovim, and its size was limited to about 3,500 dunams (875 acres). About a decade ago, the Agricultural Research Administration (Volcanic Institute) of the Ministry of Agriculture, developed a pomegranate cutting machine that allowed the fruit to be rejuvenated. Ready-to-eat pomegranate seeds are now available in addition to its use in many products, including but not limited to natural juice, alcoholic drinks, yogurt, ice cream, oil, and cosmetics. With the increased demand for pomegranates in Israel and worldwide, and a combination of new varieties from 2003 to 2012, the planting expanded significantly. Today, the industry uses 20,000 dunams (5000 acres) of young plantations cultivated by about 300 farmers around the country.

Today, pomegranates are marketed whole or just the seeds, and packaged to save the consumer the work of peeling them. In addition, pomegranates are marketed in the form of natural juice, alcoholic beverages, ice cream and even health and cosmetic products.

They contain antioxidants, vitamin C and iron in high amounts for the health-conscious consumers. The main varieties are valley (emek), pink (varod), akko, shani (red ones). Early in the season, there is also ‘116’, ‘Hershkowitz’ and ‘Kamel’ (red and sour varieties) and Vanderpool (sweet-sour and large), and a dark strain (late breed), whose fruits you can find on the shelves by the end of winter and spring.

21% of annual sales of pomegranates takes place during the Rosh Hashanah season.

The price of the popular pomegranate changes as Rosh Hashanah nears. Prices based on 2018.

· 4 weeks before Yomtov NIS 7.26

· 3 weeks before Yomtov 5.18

· 2 weeks before Yomtov 5.11

· The week of Rosh Hashanah 5.78

Apples

According to the ministry, about 37,000 dunams (9,250 acres) are dedicated for growing apples in Israel and 8.15% of annual sales take place around Rosh Hashanah based on 2018 data. There is not a significant increase for Yomtov, as the monthly rate around the year averages at 8.33% (no error/higher during other months). The main types used in recent years are the yellow, starking (red), granny smith (green), gala (red-yellow) and pink lady (red-yellow).

Israeli production reaches 50-60 million tons annually. The main apple-growing nations include: China (35 million tons annually), Europe (10 million tons annually), and the USA (5 million tons annually).

Apples like cold, and therefore, most apples in Israel, 90%, are growing in the north, the Galil mountains and Golan Heights with an altitude of 600 meters or higher.

Israel does not export apples, and even exports of apples from Druze communities in the Golan Heights to Syria have been stopped due to the security situation in Syria. The import of apples into Israel in 2018 was about 30,979 tons, mainly from the USA, Italy, France and Spain.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)