Chambers of Commerce president Uriel Lynn addressed last week the Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Ehud Olmert to lower the present high customs duties on food imports.
The address came weeks before the minister attends the Sixth World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong.
The WTO Ministerial Conference will discuss questions that will shape the final agreement of the Doha Development Agenda, including agriculture and non-agricultural market access.
In his address to the minister Lynn argued that the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong is an excellent opportunity for Israel to revise its levels of protection on domestic produce which are "insane".
Lynn provided several examples of customs duties on agricultural products: dates 560%; natural honey 255%; dairy products 212%; beef 190%; fresh cucumbers 170%; and corn for popcorn 114%.
Lynn emphasized that the heavily taxed food products are among the most heavily consumed by the low income sectors of the economy. He added the heavily taxed products are all inseparable part of the food basket of the low income sectors.
