Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman today (Thursday) issued an order for public comment that abolishes customs duties on imports of fresh, frozen, processed fish and seafood – “with the aim of lowering prices and reducing the cost of living.”
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This is the abolition of customs duties on fish such as Dennis, Barak, Locust, Tuna and more.
According to the Ministry of Finance, fish prices in Israel are 24% higher than in OECD countries, so the Israeli consumer is forced to buy these products at a high price.
The Ministry of Finance says: “Similar to the reductions in tariffs made in the past, the abolition of customs duties on fish imports is expected to lower the price to the consumer and increase consumption. In addition, the abolition of customs duties will increase the variety of fish imported into Israel, so that the Israeli consumer can enjoy a wider selection of fish and fish products. ”
The Minister of Finance, Avigdor Lieberman, said: “We continue to work to lower food prices in Israel as part of the fight against the cost of living. This step will lower the prices of fish in Israel and will benefit the Israeli consumer, in the near future we will publish additional steps in the field of food. “
The Minister of Agriculture, Oded Forer: “This is another step in our commitment to the struggle to lower the cost of living. Simultaneously with the abolition of customs duties on imports of fresh, frozen, processed and seafood fish, a plan for the promotion and development of local agriculture will be promoted. ”
However, contrary to the Ministry of Finance’s announcement of the abolition of customs duties on fish imports, the fish farmers’ organization warns: “Finance policy will lead to a general rise in prices in the fresh fish market in Israel now and more in the future.”
According to them, the abolition of customs duties will only enrich the importers and harm the local growing industry.
Eli Sharir, CEO of the Israel Fish Breeders Association: “Just as the reduction in customs duties on fish imports that began in 2016 did not fully roll out to the consumer and created a growing dependence of the Israeli fish market on imports, which is now reflected in rising prices. , But rather to his rise.
“Over the years since the tariff reduction began in 2016, it has led to a certain and temporary drop in price, which has been halted and is now almost completely erased, with the surge in transportation and import prices. The price of a kilo of frozen tilapia fillet currently stands at NIS 33 – a price that is close to its price tag in 2017.
“Why did she bring? – Severe damage to domestic production: a 21% decrease in growers’ revenues resulting in a 20% decrease in the number of active farms in the industry, abandonment and drying of pool areas, most of which are scattered near state borders, and the resulting ecological and safety consequences In the volume of production of local pond fish. ”
Sharir added: “The result – reducing competition, leaving the supply chain in the hands of a small number of private companies, even greater dependence on imports and as a result – prices are soaring now and will continue to rise in the future.
“Given increased dependence on imports and import costs in an upward trend, along with a reduction in domestic production, and from past experience – as reflected in the frozen tilapia data, lowering tariffs will not lead to a decrease in the price to the consumer.
“The solution: only strengthening local production, direct marketing and developing fresh Israeli fish will bring the Israeli consumer fresh, healthy fish with a level of availability and a stable and safe price.”
The world fish industry is facing dramatic challenges, resulting from declining fish quantities, preventing ecological disaster in the oceans and reducing coastal pollution on the one hand, along with a steady increase in demand for fish of all kinds and in many markets – on the other.
The Fish Breeders’ Association emphasizes: “All over the world, huge investments are being made in the development and increase of land production of fish, near demand centers, in order to improve freshness and availability, while reducing environmental pollution and the carbon footprint of air and sea transport from thousands of kilometers away.
“In Israel, on the other hand, the terrestrial aquaculture industry suffers from repeated cuts, the industry is facing liquidation and the policy of reducing tariffs will lead to air and sea imports of tens of thousands of tons – a completely opposite trend to global development. It is not for nothing that the price of salmon is rising by 25% these days – a product that is not produced at all in Israel and no customs duty is imposed on it. “