Manufacturers Association President Dr. Ron Tomer and Food Industries Association Chairman Dudi Manevich wrote this week to Knesset Economy Committee Chairman MK David Bitan requesting an emergency discussion in the Knesset Economic Committee on food security, ensuring Israel's supply chain and emergency stockpiles.
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Against the backdrop of an iron sword war and the Houthi threat to shipping routes to Israel, the Food Association warns that without immediate action by the Israeli government, Israel's food security is in danger. The association warns that in order to prevent a crisis and food shortage in wartime, the government must establish an orderly strategy in which targets are set to ensure local production of at least 75% of the food required.
The union notes that about 90% of Israeli food factories are located in the conflict zones in the north and south, and despite the security tensions and in light of the vitality and importance of the food industry, the factories continue to operate, while they are exposed to missile barrages from the south and north and many of their workers have been evacuated to remote areas.
Elite Strauss factory in Sderot that was hit by rocket fire in the past, photo: Yehuda Peretz
However, the association warns that the expansion of the war to additional sectors and its prolonged prolongation, along with the lack of an orderly government food security strategy based on Israeli industry, may pose a real risk to Israel's ability to provide food security to its citizens over time.
According to the association, there is a systemic failure in preparedness for various emergency scenarios to ensure food security and continuity of food supply. For example, to date, there has been no adjustment in the scope of emergency stocks for raw materials for the food industry and updating the list of food products required in emergencies, and moreover, emergency stocks rely almost entirely on the private sector.
Chairman of the Economy Committee MK David Bitan, Photo: Knesset Spokesperson, Danny Shem Tov
"The State of Israel is an island country, surrounded by enemies, which cannot afford to rely on food imports on a significant scale. It is enough what is currently happening at Israel's ports, which are responsible for receiving goods, including food and raw materials, which are liable to close their gates due to security threats to their ongoing operations, or alternatively ships and shipping companies that have decided to stop arriving at Israeli ports in light of Houthi threats in Yemen," they say.
Aviv Hatzbani, Director of the Association of Food Industries at the Manufacturers Association: "In order for the industry to continue to ensure a regular and continuous food supply even in these challenging times, the State of Israel must regulate the entire issue of emergency stock, set a minimum threshold for blue and white production, and update the amount of food required in an emergency. If the state does not do this, in times of emergency there may be a shortage of food for the citizens of Israel."
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