"We set a target price of NIS 5 per container for cottage cheese and white cheese. For some reason, people only mention cottage cheese and say little about the other products. So long as the price remains above NIS 5 per container, we will continue the boycott," boycott organizer Yitzhak Alrov told “IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal).
Alrov added, "What is happening with fruits and vegetables is scandalous. A kilogram of grapes at a supermarket shouldn’t cost NIS 19-20.
"People feel that sand is being thrown in their eyes, as if cottage cheese is the only problem. I can't tell people not to buy anything for a month. When we examine prices of products, we examine products that the public can boycott for a month. A large part of the Israeli public can't afford some fruits, which is very serious."
Alrov continued, "There is a huge middleman margin for fruits and vegetables. We've been milked and worn down for years, but we are currently focusing on dairy products.
"People are saying that this is an opportunity to make a significant change. We, the ordinary citizens, have power in our hands and we will set the price. Like everyone else, I've read the "Globes" articles, which were the trigger for action. The only way is to unite the public; if we're united we'll have a great success.
"We are now turning our attention to dairy delicacies and yogurts. We call on the public not to buy yogurt or dairy delicacies for more than NIS 2.90 per container, and to buy unpackaged yellow cheese at the deli counter."
Yesterday Tnuva Food Industries Ltd. announced that it was lowering the price of cottage cheese to retail chains by 12.5% to NIS 4.55 per unit. Strauss Group Ltd. (TASE:STRS) and Tara Dairies followed suit.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 30, 2011
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