Celebrating: The holidays of Tishrei are upon us, and with them comes an increase in the consumption of products associated with the holiday: fish, honey, apples, and pomegranates.
So how much and what do we consume?
Let's be honest: the average Israeli consumes about a kilo of fish and fish products per month, while in the Mediterranean the amount doubles and reaches about 2 kilos per person. This is a relatively low figure compared to countries in the region. On average in Mediterranean countries, annual consumption per capita is between 20 and 40 kg, but it is higher than in the US, where people consume only about 8 kg per year.
The best-selling fish are carp, tilapia, and mullet. According to data published by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Fish Farmers' Organization, about 800 tons of carp are consumed in the month of Tishrei, compared to 250 tons in the other months of the year; about 750 tons of tilapia in the month of Tishrei, compared to 550 tons in any other month; and about 250 tons of mullet, compared to 170 tons in the other months of the year.
Their prices are expected to remain the same as last year: carp 23-25 NIS per kg, tilapia 25-35 NIS per kg, and mullet 28-37 NIS per kg.
Sweet as honey: Approximately 40% of the annual consumption of honey in Israel is concentrated during the Tishrei holidays, and mainly on Rosh Hashanah. Approximately 1,600 tons of honey, with a total value of approximately 60 million NIS, in terms of "consumer price.".
The average Israeli consumes an average of 200 grams of honey during the month of Tishrei, while in all the other months of the year combined, consumption reaches about half a kilogram of honey per person.
And from honey to apples - there the increase is relatively small, and this is because Israelis love apples all year round. An Israeli eats an average of about 125 apples a year, about 16-17 apples in Tishrei, compared to about 12-13 in a normal month.
As full as a pomegranate: During Tishrei, Israelis consume about 10,000 tons of pomegranates, two-thirds of the total annual consumption of 15,000 tons of pomegranates.
Throughout the year, the average Israeli eats 3 pomegranates, 2 of which are in Tishrei. In this context, it should be remembered that pomegranates have a limited season, unlike apples, for example.