Egypt Bans Lulov Exports

By COLlive reporter

U.S. Congressman Howard Berman of California has written last week to the Prime Minister of Egypt, Essam Sharaf hoping to save the Sukkos holiday.

The Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee sent the letter expressing his serious concern over reports that Egypt has made a decision to ban the export of the palm fronds that form the spine of the ritual lulav, necessary for the Sukkot celebration.

“Given that Egypt is one of the world’s largest supplier of lulavs, an export ban imposed so close to Sukkot may lead to shortages or extreme price spikes – causing financial hardship for families and communities simply wishing to fulfill their religious obligations,” he wrote.

“I understand that Egypt has previously limited the export of lulavs to prevent overharvesting, and I appreciate the fact that Egypt has a sovereign right to manage its agricultural resources, but such prior export limitations were announced well in advance of Sukkot – giving Jewish communities ample notice to secure alternative supplies of lulavs before the holiday.

“In light of the recent tensions between Egypt and Israel, there is a widespread perception that the reported ban on lulav exports was imposed for purely political reasons.

“I sincerely hope this is not the case, for such a restriction could deprive a very large number of Jewish people around the world – including many of my constituents in Los Angeles—of lulavs used in religious services.

“I urge your government to reassess in a timely manner the decision to impose an export ban and take all necessary steps to prevent any disruption in the supply of lulavs before Sukkot.”

Israel had previously imported about 700,000 palm fronds a year in the run-up to Sukkot, which is about 40 percent of the annual demand, Haaretz reported. Another 700,000 of the 2 million lulavs used in Diaspora Jewish communities also come from Egypt.

Rabbi Eliyahu Shapiro, owner of Hamafitz Stam in Crown Heights, told COLlive the ban “will affect the whole U.S. market.”

A lulav usually costs wholesale about $1.75 a piece and Shapiro said some sellers might go as high as $6 or even $8.

He said he is encouraging people to order early and “not be too picky. If you found a good one, go ahead. Don’t start looking for problems. We have beautiful esrogim to choose from.”

He welcomed customers to contact Hamafitz Stam to confirm availability and prices at 718-774-0999 or [email protected].