Export Market Guide - Israel
This content is restricted to wine exporters and levy-payers. Some reports are available for purchase to non-levy payers/exporters.
All regulatory information for exporting wine to Israel, including the regulatory environment, duties and taxes, and permitted additives.
Unless an exemption has been granted by Wine Australia, grape products exported from Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code. Accordingly, the labelling and wine standards information in Wine Australia’s Export Market Guides should be read in conjunction with Wine Australia’s Licensing and Compliance Guide which contains the requirements of the Food Standards Code and applicable exemptions.
Israel’s economy has been growing continuously for the past 15 years, averaging 3.6 per cent GDP growth annually. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, however most Israelis speak English.
Driven by deliberate government policy, Israel’s innovation eco-system is one of the most developed in the world, shaped by a sophisticated system of major global investors, start-ups and universities engaged in proactive commercialisation of research. The Compass Global Startup Ecosystem, which ranks startup ecosystems around the world, ranked Tel Aviv in 2015 as the best startup centre outside the United States (US). There are more than 350 multinational R&D centres in Israel.
It is estimated Israelis consume round 6 – 6.5 litres of wine per annum. The imported wine market is made up of wines from France, Italy, Australia, United States, Chile and Argentina. Imported wine competes with the growing Israeli wine category.
Regulatory environment
The National Food Control Service (FCS), which is part of the Ministry of Health, is the regulatory agency responsible for the development of food standards and regulations for food sold in Israel. The agency is also in charge of imported food licensing. The Standards Institute of Israel (SII) is the national standardisation body of Israel.
There are numerous laws applicable to wine. The principal food law is the Public Health Protection Law, (Food) 2015 and various regulations including the Public Health Regulations (Food) (Food Additives), Public Health Regulations (Food) (Pesticide Residues) and the Public Health Regulations (Food) (Nutritional Labelling) 2017. Labelling is regulated by the Consumer Protection Order (Marking and Packaging of Food Products) 1998 and Israeli Standard SI 1145.
Wine is governed by Israeli Standard SI 1318 Part 1 Definitions and Processes and Part 2 Requirements and Test Methods. The Israeli Standards are based on the OIV International Code of Oenological Practices as well as EU and US wine regulations. Israel has notified the WTO of a new law titled ‘Protection of Public Health Regulations (Food) (Food that is an Intoxicating Beverage)’ with no proposed date of entry into force.
The information in this guide has mostly been obtained from secondary sources and unofficial translations. Caution should be taken when using this guide and it is advisable to seek further information.