Israeli Food Basket Prices Soar 20% in Four Years, Study Finds
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
A Tel Aviv University study found that Israel's food basket of about 80 products has increased in price by up to 20% in the last four years, nearly five times the rate of the previous four years. Neighborhood stores saw the highest price hikes, with specific items like chocolate and coffee also experiencing significant increases. Researchers cited rising taxes and utility costs, alongside companies exploiting public inattention to the cost of living, as reasons for the surge.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's food basket prices rose by up to 20% in the last four years, a study found.
- The current price increase rate is nearly five times higher than the previous four-year period.
- Neighborhood stores experienced the largest price hikes, at 19.6%.
- Specific products like chocolate and coffee saw price increases of over 20% and up to 77.9%.
- Researchers cited rising taxes and utility costs as contributing factors.
- Food companies are accused of exploiting public inattention to the cost of living to raise prices.
A new study from Tel Aviv University reveals that the average cost of a food basket containing approximately 80 products in Israel has increased by up to 20% over the past four years. This rate of price hikes is nearly five times higher than in the preceding four-year period. The research, conducted by Professor Itai Ater and doctoral student Ad Omer from the university's management faculty, analyzed prices across roughly 700 stores.
The study examined a fixed basket of 80 items, including staples like chocolate, coffee, cheese borekas, and rice, across major supermarket chains. The period analyzed was September 2018 to August 2022, and September 2022 to August 2026. The basket encompasses various categories such as dry goods, dairy, coffee, chocolate, baby food, produce, beverages, and cleaning supplies, with prices reflecting monthly averages after discounts.
Neighborhood stores saw the highest price increase at 19.6%, closely followed by online orders at 19%. Discount chains experienced a 14.5% rise. Among specific chains, Shufersal Deal recorded a 22.7% increase, Shufersal Sheli and Freshmarket 19.6%, Victory 16%, Rami Levy 10.3%, and Yohananof 8.5%.
Individual products also saw significant price jumps. For example, the average price of an Elite milk chocolate bar in neighborhood stores rose by 77.9% from NIS 5.21 to NIS 9.26 between September 2022 and August 2026. A cheese borekas from Maadanot increased by 30.9% in neighborhood stores, and a 200-gram container of Taster's Choice instant coffee rose by 26.1% in the same locations. A kilogram of Sugat jasmine rice increased by 17.7% in discount chains over the last four years, a reversal from a 10.5% decrease in the prior four years.
The researchers attributed the price increases partly to factors like VAT hikes and rising costs of municipal taxes, electricity, and water. However, they also suggested that food companies are exploiting a lack of government and public attention to the cost of living to raise prices. The strengthening of the shekel was noted as a potential mitigating factor for consumers.
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