S Group removes Israeli origin goods after an internal review that took place in September. The group confirmed that it has stopped purchasing products sourced from Israel and will allow remaining items to leave shelves only once their agreed range periods end. The decision became public after discussion in the representative council of HOK-Elanto, the largest regional cooperative within the group.
S Group sustainability director Nina Elomaa told Iltalehti that the change followed an internal assessment alongside the European Commission proposal to freeze parts of the EU-Israel association agreement related to trade. She said the policy will be reviewed again if the EU position changes.
The updated approach means S Group shops no longer stock fruit or vegetables sourced directly from Israel. Earlier batches have already been sold through. Elomaa said the remaining items of Israeli origin represent a small list and will stay available only until current range commitments expire. Range periods refer to pre-agreed terms that define how long a product stays in the assortment and at what price.
The group noted that the overall selection of Israeli goods has been limited. S Group said it continues to honor earlier commercial agreements.
Public attention grew after the debate held in HOK-Elanto council earlier this week. Green Party MP Alviina Alametsa, a council member, welcomed the development and referred to an initiative she submitted last year that called for the removal of products linked to Israeli settlements.
Alametsa wrote on social media that S Group has taken similar steps in the past, including removing products of Russian origin following Russia’s assault on Ukraine. She compared the latest decision to those earlier responses to geopolitical events.
The European Commission proposal referenced by Elomaa was issued in September. It would suspend tariff reductions granted to Israel under the EU-Israel agreement. The plan does not impose a direct import ban but raises duties on a significant portion of Israeli exports to the EU. The proposal follows continued military action by Israel in Gaza. Reports from UN investigators in September described events in Gaza as genocide. Gaza’s health ministry has reported more than 66 000 deaths since late 2023.
S Group operates more than 1 000 shops across Finland through chains including Prisma, S-Market and Alepa. Its central purchasing unit, SOK, manages sourcing for national selections, meaning a policy shift affects regional cooperatives across the network.
Items of Israeli origin currently visible on the group’s online store include frozen crushed garlic, craft clays, sets of finger paints and Sodastream drink syrups. These products remain available until the end of their range periods, after which they will no longer appear in the group’s assortment.
