NYN | News
Israel is experiencing a suffocating wave of price inflation that threatens the living stability of millions of settlers and is driving many to consider leaving the country. This comes as pressure on the local market intensifies due to the fallout from the ongoing war with Iran, amid signs of a gradual collapse in supply chains.
The Hebrew-language newspaper Maariv revealed in recent hours that there have been sharp and unprecedented spikes in food prices, marking one of the worst economic crises the Israeli entity has faced in decades.
The newspaper reported that “alarming gaps” have emerged in product pricing, amid a clear decline in domestic supply and an abnormal increase in demand.
According to a study conducted by Maariv, the average general price increase stands at about 2.9%, but this figure conceals shocking surges in the prices of certain essential items.
Tomatoes and cabbage, for instance, have seen price hikes of over 157%. Cooking oil prices have risen by 83.6%, red beetroot by 69%, and dried garlic by 58%. Fresh salmon prices have gone up more than 33%, while poultry products have increased by as much as 25%.
These dramatic surges come amid a wave of panic buying that has swept Israeli markets in recent days, as settlers rush to stockpile large quantities of food in anticipation of any security escalation that could disrupt supply lines.
Observers believe that the current state of economic anxiety in Israel reflects the fragility of its food system and how directly it is affected by any external security shock.
