Imported cheese in Israel will rise in price again in 2024. The Ministry of Economy published on Monday, March 4, a list of companies that won tenders for duty-free quotas for the import of hard cheeses into the country. Deliveries are expected ahead of Passover, but it is already known that some importers, mostly large retail chains, have raised prices.
According to the Ministry of Economy, despite the rise in prices on world markets, hard cheeses imported within the quota will be sold at prices similar to last year. However, in 2024, quotas for cheaper types of this product have been reduced, and therefore the consumer’s ability to purchase cheaper cheese will be reduced.
In addition, in general, there is a gradual increase in prices: if in 2022 the lowest price was 2.7 shekels per 100 grams of cheese, then in 2024 it rose to 2.9 – 3.1 shekels.
The winners of the tender were mainly retail chains, one large importer and one medium-sized company. Both receive as a bonus from the state the opportunity to sell at a free price 25% of the volume of cheese imported under the quota.
Thus, with this same 25% duty-free quota, importers can import expensive varieties of cheese and sell them at a higher price. Typically, large quantities of cheaper varieties of cheese are imported from countries such as Poland and Lithuania. The price of their products is 30-60% lower than that of similar domestically produced cheeses.
Israeli dairy plants and producers are prohibited from participating in the import tender. Let us remind you that this year Israeli farmers have suffered from war, and some consumers will prefer to support them by buying domestically produced dairy products.
In tenders for the import of cheeses intended for sale by weight, the company “Wilifood” received a quota for 480 tons. This volume of goods will be sold at a price of 2.90 shekels and below per 100 grams.
Net “Shufersal” received a quota to import 300 tons of cheese for sale by weight. The price will be 3 shekels per 100 grams (2.90 shekels last year – a 3% increase in price). In addition, last year the company’s quota was higher – 350 tons of cheese. This means the price has increased, but the volume of goods has decreased.
Company “Rami Levy shivuk ha-shikma” received a quota for 450 tons of cheese and pledged to sell it to consumers at 3.10 shekels per 100 grams. Last year, she sold cheese as part of a tender for 2.90 shekels per 100 grams, that is, there was also an increase in price (7%). Moreover, last year the network received a quota of 200 tons.
The terms of the Ministry of Economy tender provided for duty-free quotas for the import of packaged cheese. But in this segment there is an increase in prices by 6-7%.
