Israel: Tomatoes imported to curb high prices
So far 30 applications have been filed to import tomatoes and licenses were given that permit a total of 1,000 tons of imported produce. In practice, during the last few days around 230 tons were imported from Jordan.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Orit Noked said, "One of the goals of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is to ensure that fresh produce will be available in reasonable prices for the general public in Israel. Ministry of Agriculture operates on many levels to realize this goal." In light of the current price increases, the Foreign Trade Center decided together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance Tax Authority, to provide duty-free quotas for tomatoes imported from Jordan. Providing duty-free quota prices was possible due to a trade agreement between the two countries, stating that when local market conditions provide justification, the agreement could be realized.
Duty-free quotas are allocated per importer and are subject to compliance with certain conditions for a fixed period of up to two weeks and importation of up to 36 tons of tomatoes from Jordan. Upon reaching the max. quotas the importer can re-apply and get another allowance under the same conditions. The Center for Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Agriculture daily examines the local market situation and determines whether the situation justifies the continuation of these quotas or not.
Ari Goren
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