Tomato Prices Skyrocket Amid Supply Shortages and Seasonal Shifts
Consumers are facing significant price hikes for tomatoes across Israel, with some retailers charging as much as 19.90 shekels per kilogram. A "Shufersal Express" branch in north Tel Aviv was found selling tomatoes for 18.90 shekels per kilogram, with similar prices at three other branches of the chain. Other Shufersal Express locations offered them for 9.90 shekels, attributed to franchisees rather than the main chain. "Super Yuda" on the "Wolt" delivery platform listed tomatoes at 19.90 shekels per kilogram, while other "Super Yuda" branches and greengrocers sold them for 16.90 shekels.
Growers acknowledge that prices have increased in recent weeks, with wholesale prices approaching 10 shekels per kilogram, following a summer of unusually low prices. This surge is attributed to the end of the growing season, extreme heat during the summer, and reduced yields. Import levels from Turkey and Jordan have been minimal, and even there, hot weather impacted crops. Despite increased cultivation areas by up to 20% this year, which led to lower prices during the summer, current conditions have reversed the trend.
However, some supermarket chains are offering significant holiday discounts. "Victory" and "Victory Plus" are selling tomatoes for 1 shekel per kilogram with a minimum purchase of 100 shekels, limited to three redemptions until October 3rd. Without this promotion, Victory's price is 6.90 shekels. "Rami Levy" offers them for 2.90 or 3.90 shekels during the holiday, down from a regular price of 5.90 shekels. Other chains like "Shufersal Deal," "Univer," "Mahansei HaShuk," "Osher Ad," "Tiv Ta'am," "Carrefour Market," and "Carrefour City" have various prices, with some offering promotional rates as low as 2.90 shekels per kilogram.
Growers are concerned about the quality of available tomatoes, describing them as "end-of-season" yields. They note that while the state provided some support to growers in the Gaza border region following the October 7th attacks, and there are no labor or water shortages, weather remains the primary factor. Similar shortages and price increases are expected for eggplants, potatoes, and onions, contrasting with last year's surpluses. The tomato shortage is anticipated to last about another month until crops from the Arava region become available.
