Israeli Food Prices Surge as Holiday Shoppers Cut Average Basket Size
Israeli food chain prices surged significantly through mid-2025, with discount chains seeing jumps up to 8%. Meanwhile, fintech data shows consumers made more transactions ahead of the holidays but spent less per basket.
The cost of living in Israeli retail chains is manifesting in sharp price increases and constant tension between manufacturers, food chains, and consumers. According to a study by TheMarker based on a database managed by Prof. Itai Ater from the Tel Aviv University Coller School of Management, food basket prices rose significantly through mid-2025, with price indices in some chains climbing by 11% to 17%.
Price Trends Across Discount Chains
Data shows that prices at Victory discount branches grew by 8% from June 2024 to June 2025. Additionally, Rami Levy Shivuk HaShikma recorded a 6% increase, compared to 5% at Shufersal Deal.
Meanwhile, the Hatzi Hinam chain is offering dozens of basic consumer goods at low costs. Under a new promotion running through October 18, the supermarket chain is discounting meat, poultry, and fish products.
Fresh chicken liver is currently sold at 19.90 shekels per kilogram. Fresh chicken wings (2 kg) are offered at 15 shekels, fresh chicken drumsticks (2 kg) at 60 shekels, fresh chicken breast (2 kg) at 60 shekels, and quarters (5 kg) at 100 shekels.
Meat lovers can also find fresh entrecote at 149 shekels per kilogram, while ground lamb (2 kg) and fresh veal ossobuco (2 kg) are sold for 100 shekels. Fresh beef shank and fresh beef shoulder are offered at the same price for a 2 kg package. In addition, Hatzi Hinam offers fresh veal cuts (goulash) at 79.90 shekels, down from 120 shekels. In the fish department, fresh tilapia (2 kg) can be obtained for 50 shekels.
Holiday Spending Patterns
According to data published by fintech company Hyp, the Israeli public executed more transactions ahead of the Tishrei holidays but paid less money overall. The number of transactions during the ten days preceding the holiday grew by 2.3% compared to the same period last year, but purchasing turnover dropped by 6% and the average transaction amount shrank by 8%.
The average transaction amount in supermarkets and food chains dropped from 199 shekels before the previous Rosh Hashanah to 183 shekels this year—a decrease of 8%. In other words, Israelis are making almost the same number of supermarket purchases, but the average amount per transaction is 16 shekels lower.
The average transaction amount in supermarkets rose by 3.4% compared to the 30 days preceding the inspection period, indicating the beginning of holiday preparations.
Compared to the 30 days preceding the inspection period, the average transaction amount at supermarkets rose by 3.4%. This figure may point to the beginning of holiday provisioning, which slightly increases purchasing relative to the recent routine, even if the amount remains lower than that recorded ahead of last year's Rosh Hashanah.
