Following Rami Levy and Osher Ad: Carrefour to sell staple products at reduced prices
The Ministry of Economy has finalized the allocation of duty-free yellow cheese import quotas, ensuring availability at low prices across hundreds of Carrefour locations and neighborhood stores.
Discounted yellow cheese is moving beyond large supermarkets and reaching neighborhood grocery stores: The Ministry of Economy and Industry has completed the allocation process for new duty-free import quotas for yellow cheese, totaling 880 tons.
As part of the procedure, the Global Retail chain, which operates Carrefour in Israel, and the company Euro Mahlabot emerged as winners. They have committed to marketing the cheese at a price of up to 4 NIS per 100 grams in chain branches and up to 4.5 NIS per 100 grams at other retail points. The cheese will be available until the end of the year in 140 Carrefour branches and approximately 400 additional points of sale, including grocery stores and neighborhood mini-markets that have agreed to meet the maximum price set by the winners.
This represents a significant shift in how cheese quotas are distributed: for the first time, the quota allows for the supply of discounted cheese to smaller retail outlets, where competition is typically lower and logistical costs are higher.
This move builds upon a competitive procedure held by the Ministry of Economy earlier this year, which led to the sale of yellow cheese at 3–3.5 NIS per 100 grams at Euro Mahlabot, Rami Levy, Neto Melinda, and Osher Ad. The ministry is now expanding competition beyond large chains to increase the number of locations where consumers can purchase yellow cheese at a discount.
Additionally, the winners received a 45% bonus on their quota volume for the duty-free import of other hard cheeses. Increasing the supply of imported cheeses is expected to boost competition within the hard cheese category and exert downward pressure on prices.
Chairman of the Quota Committee at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Dani Tal, stated:
"For the first time, it will be possible to purchase high-quality yellow cheese at a discounted price also in small retail points of sale, including grocery stores and neighborhood mini-markets. Precisely in these points, there are significant challenges of supply concentration, limited competition, and high logistical costs, and therefore expanding duty-free imports to them is an important step."
He further added that the winners have committed to supplying the cheese to approximately 540 points of sale, and the ministry expects this initiative to increase competition and lead to a decrease in prices.
