Israeli Agriculture Minister Tzachi Hanegbi has stated that while coordination is required to ensure supply continuity and food security should the outbreak worsen, shortages in locally produced foods are unlikely.
Minister Tzachi Hanegbi held an emergency meeting on Wednesday with regional council heads and agricultural organizations to discuss the potential implications of the coronavirus pandemic on the country’s food supply.
Hanegbi said that government coordination with growers and importers was required to ensure supply continuity and food security should the outbreak worsen significantly, but that shortages in local produce such as fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs and poultry were unlikely, the Times of Israel reported.
According to jns.org, Regional Councils Center chairman and Merhavim Regional Council head Shay Hajaj echoed Hanegbi’s message of reassurance, saying Israelis could calm down.
“We can tell the citizens of Israel today that they can calm down. We don’t expect any shortage of fresh produce in the run-up to Passover [from April 8 to 15] or Independence Day [April 28-29],” said Hajaj, according to the report.