Kibbutz Industries Association: 1H exports up 33.7%

During the first six months Kibbutz industry generateover US$1.69 billion from export sales. Amos Shalev: The increase has not yet reached the 2008 export level
 
Report published last week by the Kibbutz Industries Association show that during the first half of 2010 Kibbutz industry increased their exports by 33.7% compared to the corresponding period last year. During the first six months Kibbutz industry generateover NIS 6.4 billion (US$1.69 billion) from export sales.
 
The leading sectors in the kibbutz industry are plastic and rubber generating 61% of total direct exports, food representing 18% of total exports and metal contributing 14% of total exports. Other sectors include optics and glass, textile and leather, medicine and chemicals, office supplies, quarries and building materials, toys, jewelry and musical instruments.
 
The Kibbutz Industries Association is the umbrella organization of more than 300 factories and companies across Israel.
 
Amos Shalev, head of the Kibbutz Industries Association's export department, noted that despite the increase in exports, the level has not yet reached the 2008 export level. Shalev added that due to the economic uncertainty in the European  and US markets the industry must trace new markets in South America, Asia, Russia and the Far East.