With dairy prices rising again and consumption declining in Iran, experts have warned about the spread of anemia, osteoporosis, malnutrition, and short stature in future generations.
The state-run Khabar Online news website reported on May 31 that rising dairy prices, combined with the declining purchasing power of households, have reduced dairy consumption in Iran to levels below recommended standards.
Khabar Online wrote that estimates indicate per capita dairy consumption in Iran has fallen to about 50 kilograms, while the global average exceeds 250 kilograms.
According to the report, the chairman of the board of the National Union of Dairy Industry Cooperatives said that raw milk prices have increased by about 40% to 43%, a development that could further reduce dairy consumption.
Rising Dairy Prices Send New Shock to Lives of People in Iran
On May 25, Reza Bakri, secretary of the Iran Dairy Industries Association, said that dairy product prices have increased several times over the past year and have risen by approximately 90% overall.
Ahmad Esmaeilzadeh, director of the Community Nutrition Improvement Office at Iran’s Health Ministry, told Khabar Online that the standard recommendation for different age groups is to consume two to three servings of dairy products daily. However, average consumption in Iran is about one serving or even less, meaning that less than 50% of society’s dairy needs are being met.
He expressed concern about insufficient intake of protein, calories, and other essential nutrients among different age groups and added: “If the necessary nutrients do not adequately reach different groups, especially high-risk groups such as pregnant women, growing children, and the elderly, we will face serious health risks in the coming years.”
On May 25, 2025, Ali Ehsan Zafari, CEO of the Dairy Cooperatives Union, told the state-run ILNA news agency that the increase in raw milk prices from 460,000 rials per kilogram to 610,000 rials per kilogram was responsible for the rise in dairy prices.
He warned that the price increases implemented from the beginning of Khordad would affect per capita consumption.
Essential Food Items Removed from People’s Tables
Iraj Khosronia, president of the Iranian Society of Internal Medicine Specialists, told Khabar Online that many essential food items have been removed from people’s diets and no longer have a place in household consumption baskets.
He added that dairy products are among these foods, while meat, chicken, and various fruits have also become unaffordable for many people because of rising prices.
Khosronia warned that if most people’s diets become limited to bread or potatoes, more individuals will face anemia and physical and mental health problems in the future.
According to Khosronia, reduced dairy consumption can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, osteoporosis and bone fractures, anemia, lethargy, and physical and psychological disorders.
He noted that insufficient dairy consumption could result in reduced average height and bone, neurological, and blood disorders in future generations.
In recent months, rising inflation and sharp increases in the prices of essential goods have placed significant economic pressure on households and created serious challenges for the livelihoods of large segments of society.
The continuation of this situation has heightened concerns about declining purchasing power and its consequences for the physical and mental health of society.
Declining Dairy Consumption: A Threat to Public Health
The director of the Community Nutrition Improvement Office at Iran’s Health Ministry added that nutrient deficiencies in children can manifest as malnutrition, thinness, underweight conditions, and short stature, while in older adults they can lead to anemia, osteoporosis, and severe weight loss.
Esmaeilzadeh added that milk and dairy products are included among the items eligible for purchase through the electronic voucher program. He said proposals have been made to allocate additional resources or provide a special credit card for dairy purchases, although no final government decision has yet been made.
The increase in dairy prices comes amid a broader wave of rising costs for essential goods, a trend that has increased economic pressure on citizens and has repeatedly been identified as one of the main challenges affecting livelihoods.
