Here in the States, we probably take one or two things for granted. Among them, the cost of chocolate pudding! Now, I’ve seen pudding snacks range from $1-4 for a four or six pack of pre-made, pre-packaged, chocolate yumminess. And, I wouldn’t say that’s unreasonable.

In Israel, however, it’s an entirely different story. Israel’s high cost of living is one of voter’s top priorities in the upcoming election to be held in March.

25-year old Naor Narkis, a former intelligence officer, posted a photo on Facebook of a chocolate pudding in Berlin which sold for a third of the price of a similar “Milky” dessert in Israel. He became an overnight celebrity for the photo.

This isn’t the first incident of Israeli’s battling high costs of living. In 2011, hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets to protest the rising cost of cottage cheese – a popular staple in their diets.

Higher wages and lower costs of living make the U.S. and Western Europe good places for young Israeli people to relocate, which they threaten to do if Israel continues to be simply unaffordable to them.

According to the Bank of Israel, gross salaries are $10,000 less there, and basic goods cost 12% more. Also, to give you an idea of the exchange rate to the U.S. $1 = 3.8913 shekels. Source: Reuters.com

There is much speculation as to which politician and political party will come out on top in this race. To me, it is quite unclear, nor do I wish to get into any of that here (our focus is chocolate).

Forward.com notes that retailers and producers are blaming each other for the high prices. Israel’s largest supermarket chain, Shufersal, said half of the products it sells come from just 10 major suppliers. Of course at the other end, the suppliers say big grocery chains are the ones imposing high markups.

Setting the blame game aside, all I can say is let the people have their chocolate pudding!

Photo: "chocolate pudding" by kae71463 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

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Ashleigh Rader

Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

All her life, Ashleigh has enjoyed, indulged in, and spread the gift of chocolate. She says, "life's too short to skip dessert." Ashleigh joined CUO to help share on our blog and social networks more about the wonders of chocolate.

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