Israeli Food Imports to UK Supermarkets Plunge Amid Activist Boycott and Gaza Crisis

Israeli food imports to British supermarkets have suffered a significant decline against a backdrop of mounting pressure from pro-Palestinian activist groups. Official figures from HM Revenue and Customs reveal that goods imported from Israel in the first six months of the year fell by 17 percent compared to the same period in 2024, with total imports dropping to £101 million from £121 million.

Notable decreases have been observed in high-profile supermarket staples, particularly those items targeted by campaigners. Avocado imports fell sharply by 16 percent, decreasing from £43.5 million to £36.5 million, while couscous shipments were almost halved, down from £239,900 to £135,946. Other Israeli products such as carrots and tomatoes have also experienced substantial reductions.

This downturn coincides with escalating efforts from the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, spearheaded by organisations like the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. These groups have organised demonstrations outside stores, pressuring UK supermarkets to cease selling Israeli produce. The campaign has led to decisions such as Co-op’s recent announcement to remove Israeli goods from its shelves, citing concerns over internationally recognised human rights abuses and violations of international law.

Co-op has also begun stocking lagers from Palestinian microbrewery Taybeh Brewing, a move publicly celebrated by activists as evidence of growing support for Palestinian products. Meanwhile, other retailers have found themselves entangled in controversy. Sainsbury’s apologised after campaigners labelled Sabra-branded hummus as supporting genocide, referencing the hummus producer’s former links with Israel-based Strauss Group. Since late 2024, Strauss Group no longer retains a stake in Sabra.

On occasion, protests have escalated to direct actions in stores. At a Waitrose branch in Preston, demonstrators filled trolleys with Israeli avocados, dates, and hummus in protest against what they described as “Israel’s monstrous cultural heist”. Legal pressure has also been applied, as the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians warned supermarkets such as Asda, Tesco, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s over the risk of supplying products sourced from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

While the adverse effect on Israeli imports is clear, the data show a contrasting trend for foods from other nations with challenging human rights records. Imports from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan increased 45 percent, while Syrian exports – especially olives, olive oil and dried coffee – more than doubled, surging by 120 percent. Despite political controversy, one area of Israeli exports bucked the downward trend: imports of sauces including ketchup, soy sauce and mango chutney leapt to almost £4 million in the first half of 2025 compared to just £720,000 in 2024.