- PRICE TRENDS & AVAILABILTY IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP
Wheat Flour
The quantities of wheat grain imported through the Kerem Shalom crossing during the third quarter of 2011 (17,260 mt) decreased by 43 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010 (30,091 mt).
Since June 2011, wheat flour has been available in sufficient quantities on the local market. Combined with the renewed competition between flour traders, the local prices for wheat flour decreased to 95-105 NIS per 50 kg flour bag.
Meat
In the Gaza Strip, the consumer price index for fresh meat remains stable with a 0.2 percent decrease between the second and third quarters of 2011. Fresh beef has slightly increased by 1.6 percent, reaching 48.50 NIS/kg by October. The October 2011 price level for fresh goat meat is NIS 55/kg.
In the West Bank, the index increased by 1.3 percent between the second and third quarters of 2011. The prices for fresh beef and goat meat have reached 54 NIS/kg and 73 NIS/kg respectively in October 2011. The price for chicken has now reached 13.4 NIS/kg.
Vegetables
During the past year, the overall vegetable prices have witnessed a decrease in the oPt. In the Gaza Strip, the monthly consumer price index for fresh vegetables decreased by 15 percent between October 2010 and October 2011. During that period, cucumber prices remained stable, tomato prices increased by 1 percent, while the potato prices decreased by nearly 7 percent as a result of a good harvest season.
In the West Bank, the monthly consumer price index for fresh vegetable decreased by 21 percent between October 2010 and October 2011. Tomato, cucumber and potato prices decreased by 60, 40 and 24 percent respectively.
Agricultural Inputs
The price of barley has remained stable during the third quarter in the West Bank.
Despite the favourable global cereal crop prospects and the significant reduction of the international cereal prices (excluding rice), the price of wheat bran feed has increased by 9 percent during the third quarter mostly due to the lower supplies in the local market.
In the Gaza Strip, the price of tomato seed has dropped by 20 percent between the second and third quarter of 2011 due to an increase in domestic market supply.
Contrary to the West Bank, the price of wheat bran feed experienced a minimal increase whereas barley feed increased by 6 percent. Cucumber seed and fertiliser increased by 9 and 4 percent respectively.