You can get drunk with fun: Finance Minister Yair Lapid signed an order today (Wednesday) reducing the customs duty rate on grapes. According to the order, the customs duty will be reduced to 1 NIS per kilogram, instead of 1.83 NIS per kilogram, a reduction of approximately 45% in the customs duty rate.
The decision was made in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, in light of the fact that local grape production from January to March is small and does not meet demand, and there is a great need for imports.
It is not certain that the reduction will lower the final price for the consumer, but it will probably prevent the expected price increase, due to the lack of sufficient supply.
The decision is also expected to affect ultra-Orthodox consumers, who, due to the Shemitah, are careful to use overseas crops, and will not have to pay exorbitant prices.
The order will be in effect until the end of 2016. The decision to apply the order for two years will allow during this period to examine the effect of the reduction in the customs duty rate on domestic growth and final consumer prices and to make decisions accordingly regarding the continuation.
Join the Haredim 10 Facebook page >>
Join the X page of Haredim 10 >>
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
