Get your wallets ready: Retail industry sources are warning of rising fruit and vegetable prices ahead of the holidays. In terms of vegetables that are liable to become more expensive, the retail industry notes mainly tomatoes, peppers of all colors and dried onions. Regarding fruits, it is noted that watermelons and melons will become more expensive due to the end of the season, grapes due to the scarcity of suppliers and more. According to estimates, some of the price increases will take effect towards the end of next week.
The main reasons expected to lead to an increase in prices are weather, the depreciation of the shekel, and the end of the summer season, when the quantity and quality of crops decline and there is an increase in consumption before the holidays.
"In the past, the public used to think that the price of a kilo of tomatoes or cucumbers was 5-4 shekels – these are things that have passed from the world, because the prices of water, orchards and labor have changed. Tomatoes can increase in price during the holidays by 20%-10%," a senior retail industry source told Israel Hayom.
Fruits and vegetables, photo: uncredited
"Over the past year, the issue of weather has become very critical. The severe heat in July and August affects the yield, quantity and quality of agricultural produce. The other factor influencing the increase in prices is the weakening of the shekel. There are many goods imported from abroad, and this affects the price. Besides, the story of weather damage is not only happening in Israel but also in Turkey and Spain, so there are price increases in these countries as well," he explains.
"Will manifest itself in health"
The source adds, "The supply of fruits and vegetables in Israel is decreasing. This is mainly due to the scarcity of land and the non-entry of new elements into the agricultural sector. Agriculture remains in the hands of older people, farmers of yesteryear, and there is hardly a new generation, no renewal. Price increases are causing people to reduce their consumption, which is bad nationally. If the issue of agriculture is not dealt with properly, it will be reflected in public health."
On the other hand, the chairman of the Israel Farmers Association told Israel Hayom that this is "noise" created by retailers in order to increase the profit line and raise prices before the holidays. "Every time before the holidays there is noise made by retailers about shortages and expectations of price increases, they bring it into the consciousness. I'm not sure that's true. Imports are open, customs duties have dropped significantly, but they are producing such a wave. We're doing everything so that prices don't go up."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us