Food inflation in Iran rose 128% over the past year
Food inflation in Iran rose by 128% during the month of Tir on the Iranian calendar—which ran from June 21 to July 20—compared with the same period last year. Al Jazeera English reported this, citing data from the Iranian Statistical Center.
According to the center, the inflation rate exceeded 100% in eight out of ten major food categories. Oils and fats saw the sharpest year-over-year price increase—261.5%. Inflation for dairy products, particularly milk and cheese, stood at 147.1%, while for red and white meat and meat products, it was 145.2%. In the bread and grains category, prices rose by 116.7%.
Tehran residents told the publication that rising prices are forcing them to cut back on their purchases. Sheila, a mother of three who is set to retire soon from the Ministry of Education, said that her salary used to be enough to cover her family’s monthly needs. Now, she said, even after the annual pay raise, her income is not enough to cover the cost of food for her family.
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Maziar, an employee at a private company, said his family has stopped buying red meat, their favorite varieties of Iranian rice, and high-quality cooking oils. He said that as soon as he gets paid, he immediately buys essential goods, fearing that prices will rise again the next day.
Mahmoud, the owner of a grocery store near Tajrish Square in northern Tehran, said that wholesale prices change almost daily. He noted that shoppers—including the well-off—are increasingly just asking about prices or requesting to buy on credit.
Maryam, a 34-year-old architect, said that two years ago her family could buy groceries without having to calculate every detail, but now she counts every rial. She also said that the poverty line in Tehran has risen to 900 million rials, or just over $654.
