Israel’s Trendiest Export: Aroma Coffee

Written by: Aaron Katsman | February 5, 2009

For a country known for exporting Jaffa oranges and technology, a new export industry has joined the big 2…Coffee.

It’s well documented that Israeli’s love drinking coffee, but it has been never been considered a big producer of coffee. According to an article in Globes: “Cafe chain Aroma Israel is continuing its international expansion. This week, it opened its first branches in Ukraine capital Kiev and Cypriot resort of Limassol. The openings come a few days after the chain opened its second cafes in both New York and Toronto. All these branches are operated by franchisees, with Aroma directly owning a small stake. The new cafes bring the number of Aroma’s international branches to seven. It also has a branch in the Romanian port and resort of Constanta. Aroma plans to open more branches in New York and Toronto in the coming months.”

While some may be skeptical about opening cafe’s during a serious global economic slowdown, the Aroma owners may be timing this expansion perfectly. After all sooner rather than later the economy will start to pick up, and then they will be well positioned to take advantage of people with higher levels of disposable income that can be spent on expensive coffee.

 

Has the Global Economy Hurt Israel? Finance Chief Thinks So

Written by: Aaron Katsman | July 6, 2008

Aaron Katsman
IsraelNewsletter.com

Last week in the tourist city of Eilat, the big-wigs( yours truly was not invited) of the Israeli economy got together to speak about the future of the Israeli economy. Speaking about the global economic slowdown and the ramifications on the Israeli economy, Ministry of Finance director general Yarom Ariav mentioned that he expects a slowdown locally on the heels of the global economic slowdown. Pretty standard analysis.

Then, according to Globes, Ariav said, “The decision to integrate into the global economy has greatly limited options for the Israeli economy. 10% annual growth by emerging markets affects raw materials, oil, and disposable goods.”

What?

Is he saying that that fact Israel is now part of the global economy a bad thing? Would it be better for Israel to be a protectionist and isolationist economy, and just produce goods for our own survival? (Continue »)