Continued Livelihood Crisis; Simultaneous with Decreased Demand, Red Meat Supply Also Decreased by 26%

The Statistical Center of Iran reported that the supply of red meat in Mordad 1402 (August 2023) decreased by 26% compared to Mordad of the previous year. According to this report, the weight of red meat supplied from various slaughtered livestock in the country's official slaughterhouses in Mordad 1402 totaled 41,073 tons, which is a 26% decrease compared to a year ago and an 8% decrease compared to the previous month, Tir of this year. The website Eghtesad Online also reported that from 1390 to 1400 (2011 to 2021), the average consumption of red meat in Iran decreased by 41% and per capita milk consumption decreased by 48.6%. The head of the Supermarket and Protein Materials Union reported on Shahrivar 30 (September 21) that there are disruptions in the market due to the 'livelihood crisis affecting a significant portion of the population' and stated that this year, people's purchasing power has decreased by more than 50% compared to the same time last year. Davood Fakouri told the website Tejarat News that the decrease in people's purchasing power, along with tax issues, has also challenged businesses. Tejarat News wrote that since the beginning of this year, with the increase in food prices and the existing inflation in essential goods, people have been forced to reduce their consumption or even eliminate some items from their tables. The price of bread has increased; once again, subsidies have been removed from the 'tables of the underprivileged'. The increase in food prices has led to a 50% reduction in the purchasing power of Iranians. The price of stationery has increased by 50%; the school year begins with inflation for students. Bread has become more expensive in Tehran; the Minister of Economy stated that there is 'special' oversight on bread prices. The intensification of food price inflation in Iran has seen red meat and canned fish at the forefront of price increases.