The Statistical Center of Iran has reported a sharp increase in food prices, with more than one-third of essential commodities experiencing price hikes ranging between 40% and 103% in January 2025 compared to the previous year. The highest increases were recorded in legumes and fruits, deepening concerns over inflation and the growing food security crisis in the country.
According to the latest report from the Statistical Center of Iran, the prices of many essential food items, including bread, grains, meat, dairy products, vegetables, and legumes, have soared to unprecedented levels. Some products have recorded double-digit price hikes, with eggplant rising by 40.6%, potatoes by more than 20%, and pasteurized butter witnessing a significant increase.
In the fruit and dried fruit category, pomegranates saw the highest price increase at 11.1%, followed by bananas (3.7%) and apples (3.6%) compared to the previous month. In contrast, some fruits experienced slight price declines, with melons dropping by 9.6% and oranges by 4.6%.
The Rice Market Crisis: Monopoly and Policy Failures
The surge in rice prices remains one of the most alarming economic issues. The head of the Food Wholesalers Union revealed that Iranian rice prices have risen by 45% over the past year, with the price of one kilogram increasing from one million rials to 1.45 million rials.
He attributed this surge to government policies that forced importers to purchase one kilogram of Iranian rice for every two kilograms of imported rice. This measure enabled major importers to dominate the market by securing exclusive contracts with farmers from the beginning of the planting season, allowing them to control prices in the markets.
Additionally, the removal of the subsidized NIMA exchange rate has further driven up the prices of imported rice. According to industry sources, two months ago, one kilogram of imported rice was sold at 470,000 rials in wholesale markets, while consumers purchased it for 500,000 rials. However, current wholesale prices have surged to between 500,000 and 750,000 tomans, reflecting a significant increase in import costs and their impact on consumers.
Dairy Products Turning into a Luxury Item
The continuous rise in dairy prices has forced many Iranian families to reduce or completely eliminate these products from their diets. Ali Ehsan Zafari, the chairman of the Dairy Products Union, stated that rising prices have led to a decline in demand, causing a slowdown in the dairy industry and reduced production.
According to a report by the state-run ISNA news agency, dairy prices have sharply increased several times in the past three months. The Statistical Center of Iran estimates inflation in dairy products between 27% and 43%, making them less accessible for low-income families, further deteriorating the nutritional quality of many Iranians’ diets.
Rising Cost of Living and Household Struggles
Economic reports indicate that as of January 2025, food expenses for a four-member household account for approximately 58% of the minimum wage, reflecting severe financial pressures on Iranian families, as inflation continues to weaken their purchasing power.
Economic experts warn that the continuous rise in food prices will further burden households, making it increasingly difficult to secure essential goods, especially amid the ongoing severe inflation wave in the markets. Market fluctuations are expected to intensify in the coming months, exacerbating the economic distress of families.
Under these circumstances, securing basic food supplies has become one of the biggest daily challenges for Iranian citizens, as living standards continue to decline and economic deterioration creates an increasingly difficult reality for households.
