According to a report by the regime’s Etemad newspaper, per capita consumption of red meat has decreased from 13 kilograms in 1390 (2011) to 3 kilograms in 1401 (2022).
Similarly, the price of chicken per kilogram has increased from 250,000 rials (approximately $0.5) in 2011 to 1,200,000 rials (approximately $2.4) in 2023.
Etemad newspaper attributed this phenomenon to the substitution of low-quality goods and stated that with the increase in prices, the resources available to poor families are diminishing.
According to the latest reports, the inflation of red meat has reached 86 percent and the inflation rate for chicken has reached 82 percent, resulting in smaller portions on people’s tables.
Seyed-Morteza Afghah, an economist linked to the regime, told Etemad newspaper that we are currently witnessing an increase in inflation and a decrease in investment. All of these factors contribute to a decrease in food availability and a lower consumption rate.
“With the continuation of these policies, along with a decline in production, an increase in unemployment, and growing inflation, the number of impoverished individuals in the country will increase, and the middle class will gradually fall below the poverty line. If they remain in this category, their consumption levels will be lower than before,” Afghah added.
On May 3, Etemad newspaper reported that “many” people have resorted to bartering goods for meat and chicken, either for their present or future needs or for hosting guests, and they have replaced them with local yogurt, cheese, pickles, or homemade jams.
The reports indicate that the price situation is also chaotic for other consumer goods. Accordingly, the price of rice, which was around 260,000 rials (approximately $0.52) in 2020, is now priced between 1.3 and 1.8 million rials (approximately $2.6 to 3.6) at best.
The price of one liter of milk, which was announced by the government as 60,000 rials (approximately $0.12) in 2020, is now being sold for 300,000 rials (approximately $0.6) in dairy stores.
Iran needs billions of dollars in foreign investment, including in the oil and gas industries. However, in the Iranian economy, all the human, natural, and financial resources of the country are controlled by a limited group dependent on the regime supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
During the 2021 presidential election, Ebrahim Raisi promised in his programs to “eliminate dependence on essential goods and exchange rates, bridge the class gap and injustice by changing incorrect economic policies, adjust people’s wages according to inflation, support families and marginalized groups, and provide minimum livelihood by issuing a purchase card for the lower three deciles.”
In March 4, 2021, Raisi even gave the order to “eradicate absolute poverty” by the end of the Persian year (March 20), which means within just two weeks.
Raisi had promised to resolve the country’s economic issues, emphasizing during his election campaign that the main problem is in management. “I will be able to use many economy experts to resolve the country’s economic problems, and I will do so” he claimed before assuming office.
During his tenure, however, Raisi has failed to resolve any of the surmounting economic crises plaguing Iran. All the while, various prices of different daily necessities are increasing, resulting in more and more protesters venting their anger and frustration in the streets by holding anti-regime demonstrations.
The multitude of economic challenges, especially the rising inflation rate is eroding the middle and lower classes’ purchasing power. Addressing these problems will require a comprehensive and strategic approach that prioritizes economic stability and growth, investment, and the creation of a favorable business environment. Unfortunately, such matters happen to be at the bottom of the list of the regime’s priorities.
