3-week milk shortage in Israel extended to another week

Those persons seeking relief from the three-week shortage of milk in retail stores across Israel will have to wait a little longer.

The Israel Dairy Board said the milk shortage could last to one more week.

The shortage of milk is common in Israel every year in the late summer, around the Yom Tov season.

However, this year the Dairy Board said the shortage is more severe because the days of the Yamim Tovim were all on weekdays, rather than at least partially overlapping with Shabbos when production has to stop regardless.

Dairy producers blamed the shortage on the fact that, unlike previous years, many Israelis did not leave the country during the Yom Tov season due to coronavirus restrictions on international travel, leading to greater demand in Israel.

The producers added that another reason is the shortage itself also generates an increase in demand, with consumers rushing to buy more milk than usual fearing they would be left without.