Despite the ever-rising cost of living, Israelis last year bought seven percent more beef and veal than the year before, consuming an average of 20.2 kilograms (44.5 pounds) per capita, the Agriculture Ministry reported Sunday.

Per capita consumption in OECD countries, by contrast, stood at an average 13.4 kilograms (29.5 pounds). Some OECD countries were still higher, with 23.2 kilograms (51 pounds) in the US and 21.9 kilograms (48 pounds) in Australia.

In all, Israelis consumed around 201,000 tons of beef in 2025, of which half was fresh or chilled.

This week, in the run-up to the country’s 78th Independence Day on Wednesday, purchases of bovine products are expected to jump by 46% compared to a normal week, and more than threefold for special grilled meats.

Around 30 percent of fresh beef and veal is slaughtered locally — 16% from calves transported live from overseas and fattened and killed in Israel, and 14% from local dairy and pasture cattle. A further 20% is imported chilled, and 50% frozen, after slaughter overseas.

According to StorNext data cited by the ministry, the average retail price for a kilogram of frozen beef last year was NIS 52.5 ($17.50 at current rates), with the........

© The Times of Israel