Prices rise in Israel due to Turkish ban

The Turkish government’s decision to halt trade with Israel over the latter’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip is contributing to an increase in fruit and vegetable prices for Israeli consumers, according to a report in the Daily Sabah.

Following an initial curb on exports of 54 product types, Turkish authorities introduced a blanket ban in May as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continued to worsen.

“Following the suspension of imports from Turkey due to its boycott of Israel, there has been a rise in the prices of vegetables and fruits,” Israeli public broadcaster KAN confirmed.

Bilateral trade between the countries stood at nearly US$7bn a year prior to this year’s cessation of trade.

In response, Israel’s foreign minister Israel Katz said the county was focusing on local production and imports from alternative countries.

Prices have also been affected by Israel’s cautionary suspension of vegetables from Jordan after the discovery of cholera bacteria in the Yarmouk River delta.

The Israeli Council of Plants and Agricultural Associations has sought financial support from the government in order to lower farming costs and reduce prices for consumers.