A relatively new crime wave is sweeping the Israeli countryside. Groups of criminals are stealing everything from avocados to watermelons from local farmers. These people first plunder the farmers' stock and then sell the produce directly to merchants, potentially making make millions of shekels.
Just a few weeks ago, tons of avocados were stolen near a kibbutz in northern Israel. Many of these thieves were caught by Israeli Border Police officers. The criminals have now set their sights on watermelons.
According to the report, these agricultural thieves have a serious effect on the Israeli market and economy. Since the arrest of the avocado thieves, there has been an increase in the prices of these fruits and vegetables, and in turn the demand for such goods have gone down significantly.
The problem is not only the damage to these farmers' livelihood, but also the damage that the harvesting does for future growth within the fields, hurting both ends of the trade. Police have now set their eyes on other fruits and vegetables whose growth has risen in this past year, in order to deter other offenders.
In recent weeks, thousands of tons of watermelons have been stolen from the groves. The perpetrators arrive under the cover of night with pick-up trucks and load whatever they can - selling them below market value to merchants for about 30 NIS a piece.
Source: jpost.com
