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Israel: Osem Caves, Delays Price Hikes Until After Pesach

February 1, 2022 - from Hamodia:

"The giant Osem food company gave in to pressure not to raise prices as planned for February 1, but to wait until after Pesach, when it said it would review the matter.

"The announcement followed a meeting of its senior executives with Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman, in which they presented the reasons for the planned price increases, including higher costs of raw materials and shipping.

"The finance minister had been threatening action against major food producers and importers that were poised to raise prices at a time when Israeli consumers are still struggling with the financial effects of the pandemic, and as the price of gas and electricity go up.

"Liberman said the pricing moves 'raise concerns of the use of excess market power to rake in excess profits.'"

Pasta protest: Tens of thousands share post calling for boycott of Osem pasta

February 1, 2022 - from Arutz 7:

"As of Monday evening, more than 21,000 people have shared a post from the Facebook page of the Israeli TV program “Hazinor”, which calls for a boycott of pasta made by Israeli manufacturer Osem due to the high price difference between their pastas and pastas made by competing brands.

"The initiative by Guy Lerer, who hosts the show which airs on Channel 13, began after an announcement that Osem is expected to raise the prices of a variety of products, along with the fact that many company products are already sold at a higher price than the products of competitors.

"longside the text, the post showed a picture comparing pasta made by Osem, which sells for 5.90 shekels, to competing pastas from two other companies that sell for 2.50 shekels. The price of Osem pasta after Tuesday’s scheduled increase will stand at 6.90 shekels.