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TEL AVIV: To strengthen Israel’s food security, Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter signed a memorandum of understanding with Romanian officials in Bucharest on Sunday to provide wheat in emergencies.
This agreement is the fourth agreement in Israel’s strategic effort to secure emergency supplies of wheat, “Work with Wheat”. In return, Israel would provide Romania with agricultural technology and knowledge.
“At this time of global uncertainty and serious geopolitical conflict in our region, this agreement, born of common interests, will give Israel an additional import route, especially in times of emergency.” said Dichter.
The agreement with Romania follows similar agreements with Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Morocco aimed at diversifying Israel’s wheat import sources.
Israel’s “Handle the Wheat” initiative was launched in the aftermath of the global wheat shortage sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Israeli agriculture is facing staggering losses in production and labor. Before October 7, there were 29,900 foreigners, mostly Thai, working in Israel on farms, orchards, greenhouses and packaging factories. Israeli workers who could have filled the gap have been called up as reservists, while Palestinian workers are currently banned as a security risk. The Israeli government is looking to India and other countries to address labor shortages.
During his visit, Dichter also met with his Romanian counterpart Florin Ionuto Barbu, Romanian Jewish community leader Silviu Wechsler, and leaders of the Israel-Romania Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (ANI/TPS)
