Rosh Hashanah 2016

Israel Supermarket Price Comparison

If you are a new oleh and this is your first Rosh Hashanah in Israel, you are likely to be a little overwhelmed with the all the activity, advertising and shopping centered around the upcoming Chagim. If you are already a vatik, you are likely still overwhelmed by the financial outlay and hard work that goes into preparing for the Chag.

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Two years ago, we found that it was possible to make a celebratory Rosh Hashanah dinner for 4, for less than 500 shekels. With careful planning and bargain shopping, we were able to come up with a simple menu for just over 200 shekels. The same menu with ingredients bought from the most expensive supermarket chain, cost in the region of 500 shekels. That’s a huge difference. Now, 2 years later, it’s time to re-asses. The Mega supermarket chain has disappeared, the CPI and cost of living has risen and there is barely a difference in our average monthly wage.

The Rami Levy supermarket chain is known for its competitive prices yet limited selection. Shufersal supermarket chain is well known for top quality goods and a wide selection of local and imported products and Victory is trying to fill the gap left by Mega. In many instances the in-store prices, in each supermarket chain, vary from branch to branch based on their location (higher prices in more affluent areas), so we based our price comparison on items advertised on the online shopping sites of Rami Levy, Victory and Shufersal where prices are standarized.

All meats and fish are fresh unless otherwise stated. Prices are accurate as at 18.09.2016. Sadly, it looks as though those pre-Chag special offers you were holding out for, are not likely to happen. According to a recent article in GLOBES: “The bargains being offered are focused and modest, with some of them being conducted through coupons; are not having an industry-wide effect; and are not drawing a response from competitors.” Poultry is expected to be in short supply and the price of fruit and vegetable are likely to soar.

Item	Rami Levy	Victory	Shufersal
Chicken wings per kg	9.90	15.90	11.90
Gefilte fish – bottled – 6 pieces	not listed	12.50	10.90
Salmon – frozen per kg	59.90	74.90	59.90
Chicken livers per kg	16.90	29.90	29.00
Chicken thighs per kg	22.90	24.90	27.90
Schnitzel	34.90	39.90	34.90
Beef sinta per kg	119.90	not listed	149.90
Salad mix	18.00/500 g	12.80/350g	12.90/300g
1000 island dressing – Helmans	8.70	9.00	9.90
Sunfrost frozen carrots & peas – 800g	14.50	9.90	8.00
Potatoes per kg	5.80	2.90	4.90
Basmati rice – Willi Food – 1kg	9.30	10.00	10.00
Fantasia ice cream slab – 800g	not listed	not listed	15.00
Honey cake	not listed	10.00	10.00
Grape juice – Tirosh Carmel – 1L	14.80	16.10	16.90
Honey Yad Mordechai – 350 g	13.90	14.80	14.90
Apples per kg	3.60	4.90	7.90
Pomegranates per kg	4.50	4.90	7.90

Legend	Cheapest	Most expensive