The Israeli Plants Production and Marketing Board has declined export approval for 1,000 tonnes of pomegranates, grown by two farmers who refuse to pay the levies imposed by the board.
Nearly 1,200 fruit growers in Israel have declared they will not pay the amount imposed by the board, which in fact could prevent export of other fresh produce “if the issue is not settled immediately”, according to a high official at the ministry of agriculture.
The export of pomegranates alone is estimated to generate NIS7 million (£816,000) in foreign currency. Growers claim that any delays in the export of pomegranates will breach contracts and supply agreements with clients in Italy, Holland and the UK.
“This will prompt our clients to buy pomegranates from growers in Turkey, Spain and Egypt, causing us to lose the market,” complained one of the growers. Fruit growers claimed that they refuse to pay levies to the Plant Production and Marketing Board “because we get nothing in return”. The board responded that the growers receive full services in many areas and their refusal to pay the levies “is not in their interest, aside from the fact that it is not legal”.
Separately, Israeli fresh-cut fruit processor Tari-Bari has opened a plant in central India specialising in fresh-cut fruit segments for export.
The new plant is a joint venture between Israeli entrepreneur Shlomo Korech, ceo of Tari-Bari, and one of India’s largest fresh produce exporters.
The first shipments have already been sent to Europe, according to Korech, and the plant is expected to ensure year-round presence of Tari-Bari branded products on the shelves of European retailers, as well as helping produce “enter the lucrative markets in the Gulf states and Japan”.
Ready-to-eat pomegranate arils are Tari-Bari’s leading product, followed by fruit salads, Sweetie citrus segments, mango, melon, apples and pears. The fruit is grown on Tari-Bari’s six hectares of fruit plantations, and processed and packed products can be kept in controlled temperatures for up to two weeks.
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