A Union Official: The Rise in Dollar Rates is a Factor in the Increased Prices of Foodstuffs

The head of the Supermarket Union in Tehran states that the increase in the dollar rate and its impact on the prices of raw materials for producers has led to a rise in food prices in the market, especially in the last two months, which is separate from the price increases due to inflation over recent years. Shahrokh Sharifi, the head of the Supermarket and Protein Products Union in Tehran, mentioned in an interview published on the website Entekhab on Wednesday, November 2, that in the current market, no price is 'predictable.' This news comes amid the staggering rise in the dollar price in Iran, influenced by increasing tensions between Iran and Israel, which has set an unprecedented record, bringing the dollar rate to 68,600 tomans on November 3. The rapid decline in the value of the rial has accelerated following the Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic's consulate in Damascus on April 2 and the threats from the Islamic Republic. Since then, the Iranian rial has lost more than 10% of its previous value. According to Sharifi, 'Some factories have seen their raw materials become more expensive due to the increase in the dollar price, and the increase in goods prices is also due to this. In many companies, we have seen price increases even in dairy products such as cream, cheese, and milk.' This union official clearly stated that 'this trend of rising prices will continue. Factories that have not raised prices will gradually implement price increases.' The price of bread has increased by 25% in 10 provinces of Iran. Sharifi added that 'in recent years, we have always seen price increases due to inflation, but this year, due to the increase in the dollar price and packaging raw materials, this increase has been greater.' He also mentioned the rise in taxes alongside inflation and the dollar rate as some of the current 'challenges' for supermarkets in Iran, stating that some shopkeepers are 'thinking of closing down' for this reason. This news comes at a time when numerous official reports in recent years have indicated a significant increase in the prices of many staple food items in Iranian households, including bread, rice, eggs, meat, chicken, and dairy products. Among the Iranian media, reports from August of this year indicated that the price of bread had increased by about 25% in 10 provinces of Iran. A report from the Statistical Center of Iran on changes in food prices in September 1403 shows that the prices of all food items, including bread and grains, white and red meats and their products, dairy, eggs, various oils, fruits and nuts, vegetables and legumes, sugar, and various beverages and other food items have faced fluctuations and price increases. In the bread and grain group, 'pasta' had the highest price increase of 1.2% compared to the previous month, while machine chicken increased by 1.3% and yogurt and pasteurized butter increased by 1.5%. High inflation rates in Iran have been the primary economic issue for over three decades, significantly impacted by internal management methods, sanctions, and the isolation of the country's economy and political issues.