As the death toll in Israel continues to rise to over 1,200 people, with thousands more injured, among the dead are people and family members of those in the fresh produce industry of Israel who live and work on the affected Kibbutzim in the South. Farms and pack houses around the Gaza border are still closed, with mostly the military operating there at the moment.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is assessing the situation. Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO, Prime Minister's Office, Government Press Office.
Producers in the North of Israel are able to continue packing, harvesting, and preparing plantings for the next season. However, they do so under the constant threat of further terrorist attacks that could escalate in the region.
A large carrots producer in the North of Israel, who remains in contact with family, friends, and colleagues in the South, stated this morning: "A lot of people from the fresh produce industry in the South were wounded and killed, unfortunately. In the South, it seems like the Israeli forces are back in control. It is still unknown exactly what the impact is on the fresh produce sector and the fields. These are very, very sad days and a tough moment. In the North, it is still quiet, we are working while being busy with packing, seeding, and drilling for the next season. I think the North is providing the whole country with fresh produce at the moment."
The Israeli government, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and institutions in society are responding on multiple fronts, with the exact amount of deaths and injuries, not to mention damage to infrastructure that is slowly coming to light. The damage and effect on the fresh produce sector, directly in the South, as well as the effect of the closed borders with the West Bank and Gaza and the lack of available labor in the rest of the country, has not been calculated yet.
According to Gal Twig from Israel's Date Board, the harvesting and packing of dates are impacted due to very little labor that is available. The extent of the damage and possible losses due to delays in harvesting and packing is also not known yet. "It is still too early to know the amount of the damage. Hopefully, we will have a better idea in a week or two. In the South of the country where the serious attacks took place, they grow a lot of tomatoes and potatoes. Hopefully, we will see some better and quiet days again."
Another large Israeli exporter said because it is so soon after the terrorist attacks, it is hard to comment because the situation on the ground in Israel is changing so fast. "We are trying to operate within the uncertainty of the overall situation, and our goal is to respond to our customers in the best way we can. It's too early and changes every hour. We need to wait and see."
For more information:
Gal Twig
Israel Dates Board
Tel.: +972524312978
Email: [email protected]
www.g-twig.com