A severe shortage of cottage cheese in Israel has led to the importation of the product from Switzerland for the first time in the country's history.
What happened
The shortage, which has been ongoing for months, is attributed to fewer workdays during holidays, resulting in reduced production. Despite promises from manufacturers to close the supply gap, the situation has not improved, leading to empty shelves and high demand.
Euro Cheese, a company that imports and distributes cheeses and dairy products, has taken advantage of the situation by importing cottage cheese from Switzerland. The Swiss product has a three-month shelf life, making it a viable option for importation.
The imported cheese is currently being sold at non-kosher retail chains, delicatessens, and grocery stores, with prices ranging from NIS 8 to NIS 9 per tub. This is slightly higher than the price of local cottage cheese, which ranges from NIS 6.50 to NIS 7.90.
The company may consider importing kosher cottage cheese in the future if demand is high enough. The importation of Swiss cottage cheese is hoped to encourage local dairy manufacturers to increase production and return the popular cheese to shelves in sufficient quantities.
