Rosh Hashanah Holiday Shopping Costs Rise up to 5% as Key Staples Become Dearer
Rosh Hashanah shopping baskets in Israel have risen by 2.5% to 5% this year, reaching an average of 1,500 NIS. Sharp price increases are recorded for holiday staples like honey, pomegranates, wine, and fish.
Shopping for Rosh Hashanah is expected to cost more this year, as the prices of several staple products featured on almost every holiday table have risen compared to last year. A price analysis conducted using the Pricez website indicates an increase of approximately 2.5% to 5% in the overall holiday shopping basket, depending on the food retail chain, with some specific items showing much larger price gaps.
Key Holiday Staples See Sharp Increases
One of the most prominent products on the holiday table is honey. The price of Yad Mordechai honey currently stands at approximately 40 NIS per liter, while private label brands range between 17.90 NIS and 19.90 NIS per liter. This represents a significant price gap between the well-known brand and the cheaper alternatives on the shelf.
Pomegranates, which are deeply associated with the holiday, have also become more expensive. The price of a kilogram of pomegranates, which previously ranged around 3.90 to 5.90 NIS, now stands at approximately 7.90 to 14.90 NIS per kg, depending on the retail chain and its pricing policy.
The wine section has also recorded an increase. A 750 ml bottle of Carmel Winery wine, which previously sold for 31.90 NIS, now costs 36.90 NIS.
Main Courses and Consumption Habits
Price increases have also reached the main courses of the festive meal. A whole fish, which previously cost an average of 80 NIS, is now being sold for approximately 90 to 95 NIS. Thus, even before adding side dishes, drinks, and desserts, the cost of the holiday dinner continues to swell.
Alongside prices, consumption habits illustrate how significant meat and poultry are during the holiday season:
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In 2025, the average Israeli consumed 20.2 kg of beef, representing a 7% increase compared to 2024.
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Poultry consumption stood at approximately 51 kg per capita annually, with sales rising by about 35% in the period leading up to Rosh Hashanah.
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Pomegranate consumption averages 2.8 kg per capita annually, with approximately 16% of the total annual quantity sold in the single week before Rosh Hashanah.
The Bottom Line for Consumers
Ultimately, an average shopping basket for Rosh Hashanah reaches approximately 1,500 NIS. The 2.5% to 5% increase recorded this year, depending on the supermarket chain, might seem moderate on paper, but when applied to a large holiday purchase, it adds up to other ongoing price hikes and is clearly felt at the checkout counter.
For consumers, this means that comparing prices between different retail chains can be particularly significant during a period when the holiday basket includes dozens of products. The gap between a private label and a well-known brand, as in the case of honey, or between different chains for fruits, fish, and other holiday products, can accumulate to hundreds of shekels in a single purchase.
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