After Various Provinces, Bread Prices in Tehran Have Increased

While Iranian media reported in recent weeks about the unofficial increase in bread prices in Tehran, a union official has officially confirmed the rise in prices in the capital. Fatemeh Nazari, head of the Traditional Bakers Union of Tehran, stated on Tuesday, September 10, that 'the price changes have been implemented in the payment terminals related to bread sales with the approval of the Ministry of Interior.' According to Ms. Nazari, the price of plain Sangak bread has increased from 3,000 tomans to 5,000 tomans, the price of Barbari bread made with type one flour has risen from 1,800 tomans to 2,500 tomans, and Barbari made with type two flour has gone from 2,500 tomans to 3,500 tomans. The prices of Lavash bread made with type one and type two flour have also increased to 700 tomans and 900 tomans, respectively. These prices are usually considered base prices, and the prices of various breads in bakeries or online stores are typically higher than these figures; for instance, the news agency Mizan reported on September 7 that the price of Sangak bread in Tehran bakeries has reached 10,000 tomans. The head of the Traditional Bakers Union of Tehran further announced the new official prices, stating that the price of Taftoon bread made with type one flour has increased from 900 tomans to 1,260 tomans, and from 1,200 tomans to 1,500 tomans for type two flour. Concerns about the increase in bread prices in Iran began in mid-August this year following an interview with the then Deputy Minister of Economy, and various provinces subsequently officially announced bread price increases. Concerns arose after Mohammad Jalal, an advisor to the Minister of Economy in Ebrahim Raisi's government, mentioned the necessity of 'adjusting bread prices' on August 5, citing 'dissatisfaction among bakers due to the mismatch between bread prices and rent and wages.' The announcement of another increase in bread prices comes after traditional bread prices had already risen twice in the last three years, totaling about a 70% increase. During this time, the Iranian government has also declared the price of flour used for fancy breads and pasta to be free. According to statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Iran's wheat consumption last year was 16.5 million tons, of which 10 million tons were used in traditional bakeries. Last year, Iran imported 2 million tons of wheat, and according to FAO forecasts, this figure will rise to 3 million tons this year. Bread is considered a staple food and a primary food source on Iranian tables, and its price increase places a heavy burden on poor households.