Reports from Iranian domestic media indicate that almost every day, some goods or services become more expensive, and in some cases, such as dairy products, official price hikes have occurred several times a year. Many analysts believe that due to its direct impact on people’s lives and well-being, surviving in Iran is gradually becoming a “luxury” trend.
The recent wave of price increases has affected many goods, with dairy products experiencing the most noticeable surge compared to other items.
The government-affiliated website Eghtesaad24 wrote, “The country’s dairy industry has increased the prices of some products; a price hike that, following previous policies, is set to deprive another portion of the population of consuming dairy products.”
According to this website, the approved prices of non-subsidized dairy products, which play a significant role in household consumption, were raised again in less than three months, shocking consumers.
Eghtesaad24 pointed out that the percentage change in the consumption of food items by Iranians has dramatically decreased over the past decade, ringing the alarm bells of poverty in providing basic necessities for people’s tables.
Although officials have reacted to and denied the price increases in dairy products, Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), offers a different narrative, writing: “Even though the spokesperson for the Dairy Industry Association has denied recent price increases for dairy products, this issue is tangible in people’s lives, and by visiting stores, these price increases can be observed.”
Tasnim also emphasized that since September 28, 2024, the prices of subsidized dairy products had increased by 30%, and simultaneously, the prices of non-subsidized products had also risen.
Media outlets also reported that canned tuna, another popular item in household food baskets, is expected to face price changes soon.
In this regard, the Iranian Canned Food Industries Syndicate announced that from January 21, 2025, the price of canned tuna will increase by about 14%.
According to Eghtesaad24, the price of detergents is also facing a 40% increase request by industry stakeholders.
It has been announced that they have sent an official letter to the Organization for Consumer and Producer Protection, requesting approval of their demand due to rising production costs, especially in raw materials and packaging.
The recent price hikes have also included cooking oil, another high-demand product. According to media reports, the increase in vegetable oil prices was approved by the Market Regulation Task Force, and as of January 1, 2025, the prices of 114 types of vegetable oils have risen.
According to the Market Regulation Task Force’s resolution, the prices of various types of liquid and semi-solid cooking oils for household use increased by 15%, while confectionery oil prices rose by 21%.
Majidreza Khaki, spokesperson for the Rice Importers Association, also stated that the price of Iranian rice has increased by 30% in less than a month.
The government-affiliated website Nournews, close to the Supreme National Security Council of the Iranian regime, also reported on January 3, 2025, that tomatoes have experienced the highest price increase among agricultural products, with a 76% rise, followed by potatoes and onions, which saw increases of 74.3% and 71.1%, respectively.
Reports citing official statistics also indicate that sugar prices increased by 66%, Iranian rice by 56%, and cooking oil by 40% in November 2024 compared to the same month the previous year.
Protein products also experienced price hikes, with chicken prices rising by 40% and red meat by 39%.
Reports show that the lowest price increases were for machine-baked Taftoon and Lavash bread, with 23% and 31.5% increases, respectively.
These price hikes come as the Central Bank of Iran’s regime recently claimed that annual inflation in November 2024 reached 36%, the lowest rate in 50 months.
The price increases in Iran are influenced by economic policies, the regime’s actions outside its borders, the continued devaluation of the rial, and power and gas outages in industries. This situation has been reflected in protests by retirees, workers, and other wage earners, who have voiced their objections to Iranian government officials.
