The blizzard of 2013 is blamed for the rising cost of tomatoes in Israel, a reality that has many a shopper concerned. While Israelis are willing to do without certain items the tomato is a basic staple. However today, with the price per kilogram reaching as high as 12 NIS, one is likely to find very few cubed tomatoes in one’s falafel.

Vendors at the Carmel and Machane Yehuda shuks report that it appears shoppers are using tomato paste because the tomatoes aren’t selling. Even shakshuka fans are turning to canned tomato products due to the costly reality of fresh tomatoes.

The price hikes are not just limited to tomatoes, as squash and eggplant have crossed the 14 NIS/kg barrier in some areas.

Rami Levi, who heads the nationwide supermarket chain that bears his name, advises shoppers to only buy the minimum of the expensive vegetables, a move that will lower demand and force prices down. Levi says “the power remains in the hands of consumers”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)