The appropriate unit of the Ministry of the Economy has been requested to approve a break in customs and import rates for certain products ahead of Pesach. The requests were approved. This will permit importing 1,500 tons of fresh meat, 1,000 tons of lamb, 5,500 tons of frozen vegetables, 4,500 tons of chips (French fries), 2,000 tons of olive oil and 1,500 liters of grape juice.
Economy Minister Director-General Amit Lang explains great efforts are underway to accommodate Pesach needs and to permit having sufficient quantities of holiday items.
Officials in the ministry explain the requests were approved to accommodate shoppers but also to increase competition and keep prices down. The special import arrangement was approved for a number of major companies including Shufersal, Osher Ahd, Chetzi Chinam, and Tiv Taam. In addition, a number of major local manufacturers were given the approval, including Pri Galil, Milutal, Zeita, Yad Morechai, Shemen Ta’asiyot and Saba Chaviv.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
One Response
Keep prices down??? ARE THEY JOKING? I went shopping yesterday & I wanted to buy ground turkey. The price was previously 22/23 sh a kilo – now it is 17/18 for 500 gr. EVERYTHING has gone up for Pesach, despite what the government says. Factor in there are no avocadoes or citrus fruits that are shmittah free (we still have to worry about disposing of orange peels!) & this Pesach is going to be very lean pickings.