Israel Expands Duty-Free Cheese Import Quota to Lower Consumer Prices Nationwide

The Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry's Quotas Committee has announced a new allocation of an additional 3,000 tons of duty-free cheese imports for 2026, available until the end of the year. This follows a competitive process earlier in the year that resulted in yellow cheese being sold at approximately 3 to 3.5 shekels per 100 grams in selected supermarket chains. Five companies competed for the quota, with four winning and currently marketing the cheese in about 600 sales points. Since the start of the year, 3,187 tons have been imported out of a total 5,503-ton quota.

The ministry aims to broaden competition by making affordable cheese available not only in large supermarket chains but also in smaller retail outlets such as neighborhood convenience stores and minimarkets. Under the new procedure, cheese prices will be capped at 4 shekels per 100 grams in participating chains and 4.5 shekels per 100 grams in other retail points. This expansion is expected to increase market competition and put downward pressure on prices of leading cheese brands.

To encourage wider participation from importers and retailers, the committee will grant a 45% bonus quota for premium cheese imports duty-free. This initiative is also intended to diversify the range of quality cheeses offered to consumers at competitive prices. Danny Tal, chairman of the Quotas Committee, emphasized that duty-free quota allocations are a significant tool to boost market competition and reduce prices, noting that the new quota will extend affordable cheese availability across more outlets nationwide.