S-Group in Finland has confirmed that it stopped purchasing products of Israeli origin in September. The policy, which became public after discussions within HOK-Elanto's representative council, affects fruit and vegetables previously sourced from Israel. Earlier batches have already moved through the system, and the remaining Israel-origin items will stay only until their agreed-upon range periods end.
According to the group's sustainability director, Nina Elomaa, the decision followed an internal assessment as well as the European Commission's September proposal to freeze parts of the EU-Israel association agreement related to trade. She said the group will review the decision if the EU position changes.
The group noted that its range of Israeli fruit and vegetables has been limited and that it will continue to honour existing commercial commitments. Typical items visible in the online store include frozen crushed garlic and non-food products such as craft supplies and drink syrups. These remain until their range periods expire.
The issue came to wider attention when HOK-Elanto's council discussed the sourcing policy. Green Party MP Alviina Alametsä, who sits on the council, welcomed the move and referred to an earlier initiative calling for the removal of products linked to Israeli settlements. She also noted that the group had withdrawn Russian-origin items after the start of the war in Ukraine.
The Commission proposal referenced by Elomaa would suspend tariff reductions granted to Israel under the EU-Israel agreement. It does not impose an import ban but would raise duties on a portion of Israel's exports to the EU. The proposal followed continued military action in Gaza. UN investigators reported in September that actions in Gaza amounted to genocide, and Gaza's health ministry has reported more than 66,000 deaths since late 2023.
S-Group operates more than 1,000 stores across Finland under the Prisma, S-Market, and Alepa chains. Central procurement is handled by SOK, meaning sourcing changes apply across all regional cooperatives.
For suppliers of fruit and vegetables, the policy means that Israel-origin produce will not be purchased for upcoming seasons and will be phased out as current range periods conclude.
Source: Helsinki Times
