Following the widely felt shortage of walnut oil, chareidi communities in Eretz Yisroel are now facing a significant lack of matzah in supermarkets, with empty shelves reported just one day before Shevi’i Shel Pesach. Consumers say the shortage has been driven by unusually large-scale hosting this year, along with reports of massive army purchases.

Pesach 5786 will likely be remembered not only for the scarcity of walnut oil in chareidi neighborhoods—where many rely exclusively on it despite its higher cost compared to canola oil—but now also for a growing shortage of matzah.

It has emerged that part of the walnut oil shortage stemmed from a decision by the company Taaman to limit production this year, while other suppliers experienced delays at ports due to the ongoing war. Several major retailers informed customers that they would only be able to fulfill part of their orders, and in practice, shortages were recorded across many chareidi grocery chains.

In addition to the oil issue, over the past two days, consumers began reporting that matzah supplies were running out. Families who hosted more guests than usual this year, along with tens of thousands who remained home instead of traveling, found themselves unexpectedly short on matzah. Attempts to purchase more were often unsuccessful, as reports from stores and local groceries confirmed that supplies had been depleted.

Online groups in chareidi cities have been buzzing with requests and offers related to matzah throughout the Yom Tov. Some sources said that the army, due to a large-scale reserve mobilization, collected matzah from food chains ahead of the chag, an action they claim contributed to the widespread shortage seen across the country.

{Matzav.com}