This is what the market says about importers, who receive state benefits in return for reducing consumer goods • Importers: "We met the terms of the tender" • Ministry of Economy: "We will guarantee fair prices"

• "There were cases where importers failed to meet quotas they received"

  Photo: 

  Joshua Joseph

The Customs Commission at the Ministry of Economy and Industry approved the distribution of quota exemptions for yellow cheese imports to meet market demand and reduce cost of living.

Quotas are distributed through tenders on quotas imports and winners undertake to import at least 80% of the quotas they win. Because they receive a benefit from the state, they commit to rolling out the benefit to consumers at a discounted price.

Market officials hinted that the winners of the quota for yellow cheese imports in 2019 did not meet their minimum sales. The quota committee then released the quota distribution for 4,230 tonnes of cheese. The price of yellow cheese ranged from NIS 2.9 to NIS 3.3 per 100 grams in the deli and from NIS 3.5 to NIS 3.8 for cheese packed on the shelf.

We first looked at the sales data according to Stornecast, from which it appeared that they claimed to be justified. For example, importer Goldfrost (Wilipod) earned an import quota of 800 tons, and according to the data, it allegedly used only 25% and sold only 201 tons.

Shufersal won an import quota of 600 tons in one track and 300 tons in the second track. The quota for pavilion wines was 400 tons in one track, while Rami Levy's quota was 300 tons in one track and 300 tons in second track. Sturnext's data suggests that they did not sell these cheeses at all. However, these figures do not show the full picture.

Goldfrost (Wilipod) said in response: "The data transferred to us is inconsistent with our existing sales data.

Rami Levy told Israel Today that "We sold more than 80% of the quota in 2019 and so we were even missing. Most of us lacked, in 2020 we went for a 15% higher quota of 2019. This is a very sold and strong product In the packaged product, we sold 65% under our private brand and only 34% on behalf of the imported brand. In the delicatessen product, the leading brand accounts for 63% and the private brand 37% quantitatively. "

Shufersal said: "We stood in the tender on both routes."

The pavilions of the pavilion said: "The subject is under review," but apparently they were also in the lid. 

The Ministry of Economy said: "The purpose of import duty-free imports at a competitive price is to open concentrated industries to competition, and through the introduction of a variety of products - also to produce a variety of prices and competition that benefits consumers.

"In recent years, there have indeed been cases where importers failed to meet the quotas they received. When an importer fails, in good faith, to meet the quota he has committed, the balance of quota is taken from him and distributed mid-year to other importers.

"An importer who does not act in good faith is expected to lose quotas, forfeit guarantees and withdraw quotas in the future. This was the case in the past, and in the future enforcement will continue and will be heightened by various audits.

“The 2019 reports reviewed are touching on the half year. During the year, several additional quotas were distributed that had not yet expired, and therefore the year's examination was not yet complete.

"The Ministry of Economy will use all the tools at its disposal to ensure fair and reduced prices for consumers."