Hannuka 5769: More doughnuts despite slowdown

Manufacturers Association: Israelis will consume 18 million 
doughnuts and 42 million candles this Hannuka.

by Orly Peleg Mizrahi
December 21, 2008
Globes

The economic slowdown and the growing trend towards 
healthier food have not resulted in Israelis eating less jelly 
doughnuts (sufganyot,) this year. Manufacturers Association 
of Israel says that 18 million doughnuts will be sold for about 
NIS 57 million during Hannuka, representing a rise of 3% 
compared with last year. Nor is the economic slowdown 
reflected in the price of doughnuts, which has risen 5% on 
average from last year with each doughnut costing between 
NIS 3 to NIS 10. The producers of doughnuts claim that 
were it not for the slowdown, the price of doughnuts would 
have been higher, and the slowdown has forced them to 
absorb about 7% of the costs of ingredients and energy. 

If there have been cuts, it is in the size of the doughnut, 
with a significant increase in sales of mini-doughnuts. 
This year 40% of doughnuts will be mini-doughnuts 
weighing 35-50 grams compared with 80-100 grams for a 
regular doughnut. The number of mini-doughnuts sold this 
year will total 7.2 million compared with 6 million last year. 

An increase in the number of candles burned is also 
expected this year. Candlemakers expect to sell 42 million 
candles - 5% more than last Hannuka when 4.7 million 
candles were sold. The cost of a box of candles ranges 
between NIS 3.30 to NIS 4.40, 10% more than last year's 
price. High-end candles are also more expensive this year, 
ranging between NIS 6.60 per box up to NIS 15.60.