Heavy yolk: Government announces 16% jump in price of regulated eggs
12-pack of large eggs to cost NIS 13.97 ($4.10), up from NIS 12.05 ($3.60); ministry links decision to global increases amid Ukraine war, says it’s necessary to prevent shortages
Michael Horovitz is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel
The price of government-regulated eggs is set to increase by 15.9 percent on February 1, the Agricultural Ministry said on Tuesday, in light of soaring prices globally.
For reference, a 12-pack of large eggs will cost NIS 13.97 ($4.10), up from its current price of NIS 12.05 ($3.60).
A pack of XL eggs will cost NIS 15.19 ($4.50) instead of NIS 13.10 ($3.90), while medium-sized eggs will cost NIS 12.89 ($3.80) instead of NIS 11.15 ($3.30).
The ministry said in a statement that the price increases correspond with production costs as of June 2021.
The increase was necessary to ensure steady production and avoid a shortage of eggs on the market, according to the statement, which linked the price rise to soaring global costs caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The statement added that it was not viable to supplement local produce with imported eggs due to a raging global outbreak of avian flu.
The prices of government-supervised eggs last increased by 6.5% in July 2022. Before that, they were raised by 1.44% in 2019.
Earlier in January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced an emergency plan to tackle the soaring cost of living, promising to freeze or reduce price hikes affecting core utilities, fuel, and municipal property taxes.
