Tnuva Factory Glitch Causes Widespread Shortages of Cottage Cheese and White Cheese in Israeli Supermarkets

A recent malfunction at a Tnuva factory in Rehovot continues to disrupt the supply of dairy products across Israeli supermarkets. Initially causing a shortage of cottage cheese, the issue has now extended to white cheese and other dairy items. Although Tnuva has reportedly fixed the factory problem, retailers say supply has not yet normalized, making these products increasingly difficult to find.

The dairy shortage is not new and has affected various products over time, including milk and cream. Industry sources note that the scarcity is now spreading to additional dairy products from brands like Ashlag and Gil, with some consumers resorting to buying dairy ingredients to make cottage cheese at home. The shortage has also increased demand for competing brands such as Tera and Strauss, which are struggling to meet the unexpected surge due to their smaller production capacities.

Interestingly, the shortage predominantly affects dairy products under government price control, such as milk, cream, cottage cheese (250 grams), and white cheese. In contrast, non-price-controlled dairy products remain generally available, raising questions about production and supply priorities within the dairy industry. Despite the broader impact on dairy variety, cottage cheese and white cheese remain the most noticeably scarce items on supermarket shelves.