We need to develop alternative solutions to ensure agricultural security

As I enjoy the fruit I eat almost every day, I sometimes find myself thinking about Israel’s roadmap for fruit and vegetable imports. The fact that imports from Turkey, a country that has recently shown a hostile attitude towards our community, continue in some form raises serious concerns about our food security. I see the continued trade relationship with Turkey and the lack of sufficient diversification of alternative sources of supply as a problem for our Community. I am very concerned about the strategic and diplomatic risks of consuming food from Turkey, a country that spends a significant part of its daily politics on anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish rhetoric, continuously boycotts Israeli products, organises campaigns to that effect and, of course, is the biggest supporter of Hamas.

In fact, this is not just about Turkey. It does not seem logical to me that a country like Israel, which has a strong economy, should leave the security of its agricultural supply to the mercy of another country.

Of course, we tend to be more favourable towards European products. For example, projects such as ‘Garden of Europe‘, which aims to increase the awareness and presence of Polish apples and Greek kiwis in Israel and is supported by the EU as a three-year initiative, should be followed closely. This campaign, which is part of a global effort to align healthy eating habits with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, aims to position these fruits as accessible and sustainable food sources that offer solutions to diet-related health problems. This recently launched initiative highlights the role of European fruit and vegetables in meeting the WHO recommended daily consumption target of 400 grams. The campaign spokesperson emphasises that European kiwis and apples are not only delicious, but also provide a practical solution to essential nutritional needs, while underlining Israel’s position as one of the world’s leading agricultural countries.

We also have to recognise that we are going through difficult times and it is extremely difficult to make impeccable decisions in such a situation. The statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, for example, actually shows how much effort is being put into this.

The Ministry of Agriculture is acting for the functional continuity of the economy and the introduction of fresh agricultural produce into the State of Israel during the war for the benefit of the food security of the citizens of Israel.

The Ministry of Agriculture is doing everything in its power to help the required functioning of the supply chain and to meet the needs of the population regarding food from both animal and vegetable sources. Together with the ongoing assistance provided by the Ministry’s professionals to farmers in the field, the inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture are also working under fire at the ports of Ashdod and Haifa, at Ben Gurion Airport and at the Jordan River border crossing. All this in order to clear the received goods. Meanwhile, since the beginning of the week, approximately 323,523 tons of fruit and vegetables have been handled and cleared from the ports. These will arrive in stores in the coming days.

The Ministry of Agriculture is prepared to assist the supply chain as much as possible, in order to make food accessible to the population.

In this context, it is crucial that Israel supports its agricultural security not only with short-term solutions, but also with long-term and secure policies. Diversifying alternative sources of supply, promoting local agriculture and carefully selecting strategic partnerships are not only economic measures, but also part of national security. As a world leader in innovation and technology, Israel needs to increase its self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector, minimise external dependency and build a more crisis-resistant structure. In this process, cooperation and projects developed with Europe should be closely monitored, and agricultural policies should be shaped with both economic rationality and strategic foresight. Only in this way can our community’s food security concerns be allayed and the country’s agricultural future be built on stronger foundations.