Israelis Cut Holiday Spending Amid Soaring Food Prices

As Israelis prepare for the Rosh Hashanah holiday, rising prices are significantly impacting consumer behavior. Unlike previous years where shoppers would stock up, this year consumers are buying less and carefully considering essential purchases. Meat prices have seen a substantial increase, with fresh beef up nearly 10% and other meat products approximately 20% more expensive than last year. For instance, steak prices have jumped from a previous range of 100-120 shekels per kilogram to nearly 200 shekels.

A consumer test of 205 Rosh Hashanah items revealed that Rami Levy supermarket offered the most affordable shopping basket, costing 2,468 shekels and leading in 115 product categories. Following Rami Levy were Osher Ad, Yohananof, Carrefour, Mahsaney Hashuk, Victory, Keshet Te'amim, Universe, Shufersal Deal, and Tive Tam, which had the most expensive basket at 3,282 shekels, a difference of about 50%.

A separate analysis of meat prices by the Retail Research Institute also found Rami Levy to be the cheapest, with a basket costing just over 1,300 shekels. Victory, Yohananof, Hyper Carrefour, Universe, and Shufersal Deal followed. Prices at specialized butcher shops were considerably higher, with the difference between the cheapest and most expensive meat baskets exceeding 600 shekels.

Despite a marginal decrease in the overall average shopping basket cost compared to last year, consumers are struggling to feel the relief. Amidst the higher prices and smaller purchases, shoppers expressed hopes for the new year, wishing for health, security, peace, and unity.