Carrefour Reverses Cottage Cheese Price Hike After Public Backlash

Carrefour reversed course on Wednesday morning and cut back cottage cheese prices after days of sharp increases and heavy public criticism. According to an updated price check by Walla’s finance desk using the Pricez website, the chain decided its handling of consumers had been wrong and quickly pulled back the hike.

The move is unusual in Israel’s grocery market, where prices usually only rise. Industry sources said Carrefour’s retreat still points to broader price increases coming soon, because retailers had been waiting to see who would be first to raise prices and absorb the backlash. The same sources said Carrefour and Victory’s moves suggest an imminent increase in cottage cheese and likely other unregulated dairy products as well.

In recent days, the prices of Tnuva and Strauss cottage cheese rose sharply across most Carrefour sub-brands, reaching as high as 7.90 shekels per tub. That was about 16% above the previous level, even though the two dairies themselves announced much smaller increases of up to about 3%.

The wide gap angered consumers, who accused the chain of exploiting shortages on the shelves in recent weeks to make excessive profits. After the backlash, Carrefour aligned its prices only with the suppliers’ original increase, and the price is now expected to fall to around 7.10 shekels per tub. Carrefour did not respond to requests for comment.