Following the elimination of customs duties and the authorization of imports from Costa Rica, the Israeli pineapple market has witnessed significant changes. Initially, the price for pineapples in Israel was notably high, but the past year has seen a dramatic decrease in prices after the removal of customs duties on Costa Rican imports.
This price reduction, from NIS 37.68 per unit in late 2021 to NIS 18.49, has led to a surge in consumption among Israelis. The "zero duty" initiative, which removed the NIS 4.32 per kilogram tariff in March 2022, coupled with an agreement in April 2022 between the Ministry of Agriculture and Costa Rica, facilitated this influx of imports. Despite Israel's stringent protective regulations on agricultural imports, this policy shift has resulted in a nearly 50% price drop and a notable increase in pineapple sales, from 1.1 million units in 2021 to 1.9 million in 2023. Imports have grown by 60%, while total sales have increased by 70%, suggesting minimal impact on local production. This case highlights the potential benefits of reducing regulatory barriers on imports.
( NIS 1 = €0.25 )
Source: en.globes.co.il