Food security in war: Gov't increases egg import quotas, food waste exacerbated

The Agriculture and Raw Food Security Ministry increased the quota on tax-free imports of eggs from 10 million eggs to 15 million for the summer months, the ministry said on Wednesday. The increase aims to ensure the continuity of the supply of eggs, given the impact on agriculture of the ongoing war in Israel’s North.

Some 70% of the coops that produce eggs are located in the Galilee and Golan, and they produce around 1.6 billion eggs annually, out of Israel’s average yearly production of 2.2 billion eggs (73%).

The quota increase was based on the ministry’s situational assessment and forecast of Israel’s egg production.

In the first three weeks of July, 4.5 million eggs were imported under the current quota, which, the ministry said, was a high rate of use. In light of this rate, the ministry increased the quota size to ensure the continued supply.

Also, to support the continuity of supply, the ministry adjusted regulations for coops in the North, which will assist farmers and delay the need for them to meet certain requirements.

Israel’s food security and agricultural sectors have been significantly damaged in the war, resulting in higher produce prices and increased food waste, according to a report on the impact of the first six months of the war by the National Food Bank Leket Israel, the Environmental Protection Ministry, and BDO.

The war led to labor shortages, reduced access to agricultural areas, and exacerbated food waste, which more than doubled from the pre-war rate of 9% to 22%, the report said. The workforce in the agricultural sector decreased by 40% following the outbreak of war, it added.

War leads to labor shortages

Over 30% of Israel’s more than 600,000 acres of agricultural land lie in frontline areas of the war, said Leket. “About 22% [is] in the Gaza border area and 10% on the northern border (7% in the Galilee and 3% in the Golan).”

Fruit and vegetable prices increased 12 and 18%, respectively, as a result of supply shortages caused by the war, the report found.

“The economic situation after nine months of war has increased the percentage of the Israeli population suffering from food insecurity and exacerbated food insecurity among those who suffered from it before the war,” said Leket.

“At the same time, food waste has risen. This highlights the need to implement a policy of rescuing and delivering food for consumption by vulnerable populations to ensure food security even in times of crisis.”

“Prolonging this war carries a heavy price for Israel’s economy overall and for farmers in particular,” said BDO chief economist and report editor Chen Herzog.

“The economic aspect cannot be ignored. Damage to the agricultural sector and food waste are parts of the overall price being paid as a result of this war. The economy must return to a path of growth that will revitalize the agricultural sector and ensure food security.”

“Regrettably, this war has further highlighted the need to implement systematic policy tools that could help during similar crises in Israel,” said Leket CEO Gisi Kroch.

“Unfortunately, the government’s policy of importing produce was unsuccessful in solving the problems of rising prices or the produce shortages resulting from this crisis.”