The famous plant in Galilee is closing down. The closure of the longstanding plant for processing vegetables and fruits, "Pri Ha-Galil," is a heavy blow to the entire northern region, already suffering from a shortage of jobs, as well as to the farmers who grow produce for this plant. Attempts to sell the enterprise have been unsuccessful, and its owners have made the final decision to liquidate production.
Located in Hatzor Ha-Glalit, the plant specializing in frozen vegetables will be definitively closed in a few months. Today, after the dismissal of 80 employees at the plant, which has a 62-year history, only 50 people remain employed.
According to the factory's general director, Moshe Ephraim, the production of frozen chips is coming to an end, and after that, "Pri Ha-Galil" will permanently close its doors. In recent years, the activities of the enterprise have been unprofitable, and the owners of "Pri Ha-Galil" have failed to overcome financial difficulties.
The problems for the enterprise began several years ago when the Ministry of Economy began to publish tenders for duty-free imports of fruits and vegetables more frequently. In 2021, "Pri Ha-Galil" even filed a lawsuit protesting against a large tender for the import of frozen beans. Then, customs duties on the import of frozen vegetables began to decrease sequentially, and production at the plant became unprofitable. "Pri Ha-Galil" was unable to compete with cheap imports.
President of the Industrialists Association Ron Tomer warned that "Pri Ha-Galil" is just the first sign. According to him, if the government's policy does not change, numerous food industry enterprises across the country will be under threat of closure.
Source: detaly.co.il