Cucumber prices remain high despite more imports

Opening the market for customs-free imports has not lowered the prices of cucumbers and zucchinis. On Monday, cucumbers were sold at NIS 7.5 per kilogram, similar to prices a week ago. Zucchini prices also soared to NIS 7.5 per kg. Another vegetable with a particularly high price is cauliflower, priced at NIS 7 per kg.

The Agriculture Ministry recently opened the market for customs-free imports to reduce prices. However, imports from Jordan and Turkey have not lowered prices.

Cucumber prices in Jordan are high, and import costs from Turkey are also substantial, a retailer told Globes.

In the near future, a shortage of butternut squash is expected until April, and eggplant will be in short supply starting in two weeks and lasting until January, a source in the Agriculture Ministry told Globes.

The absence of rain in November has affected corps and has had an across-theboard effect on the overall supply of fruits and vegetables, with some fruits ripening early instead of the gradual way farmers had expected. In addition, the cold weather also damaged crops.

During the eggplant season, Moshav Ganei Yohanan, near the Bilu junction, provides 80% of Israel’s eggplant consumption, eggplant grower Ya’acov Neuman said. But most crops have been affected by the frost, he said, adding: “We had a minus-1° frost and the fields were damaged. The frostbite caused leaves to dry.”

On the other hand, due to premature ripening, the prices of bananas and citrus fruits on the wholesale market dropped. The price of cucumbers, a common ingredient in the Israeli kitchen, affects the price perception of retailers, leading some of them to sell cucumbers at a loss, particularly in high-competition areas. This loss is usually compensated by higher prices on other consumption products. In the open market, the prices for consumers are particularly high.