Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon signed a directive on Wednesday 25 Teves that will permit importing 60,000 tons of vegetables ahead of Pesach without paying customs fees.

The directive appears to have been cleared by the Ministry of Agriculture with the understanding the move is aimed at avoiding the sharp increase in the price of fresh vegetables before Pesach due to shortages resulting from severe climate or any other cause. The customs free arrangement pertains to many items, including potatoes, onions, carrots, horseradish root (chraine), cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, parsley and peppers.

The decision-makers will decide how much of the various items will be imported based on availability in Israel and the demand prior to yomtov as to make sure local farmers are not harmed while stabilizing prices before Pesach to prevent price gouging.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)