They're deceiving us: A popular kitchen staple now costs twice as much

The latest wave of price increases in the Israeli market shows no signs of stopping, and this time it hits directly at the wallets of every Israeli family. Yachin, which currently dominates the canned goods market in Israel, announced a price hike of up to 10% to take effect in January. This is a particularly painful blow to consumers, as canned vegetables are a staple in every Israeli kitchen.

The sad story of the canned goods market in Israel starts with a simple can of corn. Anyone who remembers paying NIS 5 for a 335-gram can would find it hard to believe that today the exact same can sells for NIS 11.90. And it’s not just corn—entire shelves of canned goods have become less accessible: Peas and carrots, chickpeas, and even the beloved pickles from Beit Hashita, once a household staple, now sell for nearly NIS 17.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Yachin is nearly the sole player in the market, especially after the closure of the Vita Pri Galil factory, its main competitor. While there are still other players in the market, such as Yavne Group, Beit Hashita, and Sugat, past experience suggests they are likely to follow suit and raise prices at the start of the year.

So what can we do?

There are a few ways to deal with the rising prices. First, consider adopting a simple rule of thumb: If it’s expensive, don’t buy it. The ultra-Orthodox sector excels at this approach, which is why their supermarket chains, like “Osher Ad” and “Yesh Chesed,” offer the same products under their private label, “Pri Mevorach,” at prices ranging from NIS 6.90 to 9.90 per can, compared to NIS 11-12 in secular chains.

Another option is to turn to imported products. Today, many stores offer alternatives at significantly lower prices, such as items from Willi-Food or imports from China.

In conclusion, once again the responsibility falls on us, the consumers, and on our vigilance. While we once tossed a can of goods into the shopping cart without a second thought, today every purchase requires advance planning, price comparisons, and a search for alternatives. Perhaps this is the time to return to fresh vegetables—or at least start planning our shopping according to sales and discounts.

What’s certain is that the new prices in the canned goods market once again prove that the cost of living in Israel continues to hit us hard, even when it comes to the most basic products.