Iranian media has reported an increase in the price of live cattle in recent days, stating that the price of each kilogram of slaughtered sheep in the Tehran market varies between 245,000 to 260,000 tomans, while the price of live calves has exceeded 220,000 tomans. Investigations by Voice of America from the red meat market on Saturday, January 6, show that the price of each kilogram of 'sheep thigh' has reached 660,000 tomans, 'sheep shoulder' to 750,000 tomans, 'fat tail' to 346,000 tomans, and 'stew meat' from sheep to 900,000 tomans. The 'slow and steady' increase in meat prices in recent weeks comes while on October 27 of this year, the Fars News Agency quoted the Deputy Minister of Agricultural Jihad stating that with the timely supply of domestic and imported red meat, the price of 'sheep carcass' has seen a downward trend. Alireza Payman-Pak also mentioned that the provision of feed grains, oilseed meal, and animal corn has stabilized the market and that with the import of fresh red meat, price control has been achieved and a relative decrease in prices has occurred. This claim comes despite statistics published by the Statistical Center indicating that production has been declining in recent months due to numerous issues, including feed supply problems. Accordingly, a comparison of the performance of official slaughterhouses in November 2023 with the same month in 2022 shows a 30% decrease in the amount of red meat supplied in official slaughterhouses across the country. The government's inability to regulate the market has ultimately led to a decrease in demand for this protein source. Last week, a member of the Agricultural Commission of the Parliament noted the rising prices and declining purchasing power of the people, stating that 'red meat has been removed from the tables of 35% of families.' Jalal Mahmoudzadeh also confirmed the government's failure in market regulation. Problems such as the untimely provision of animal feed, lack of currency allocation for importing raw materials and feed, the presence of a rent-seeking and corrupt network in the supply and distribution of feed, price controls, and demand fluctuations due to rising prices have disrupted the production and supply cycle of meat and poultry. The removal of red meat from the tables of 35% of Iranian families was discussed with Mohammad Machinchi. The media has criticized the 'agreed wage'; the livelihood basket in Iran is less than 20 million tomans. A recurring story; chicken has become scarce in Iran. The risk of food shortages in Iran; production and import of essential goods has decreased by up to 50%. Ambiguity in the livelihood situation; the path to reaching the poverty line; a 200% increase in wages.
Government Unable to Control Price Increases; Live Cattle Prices Rise Again
The Iranian government is facing challenges in controlling rising meat prices, with live cattle prices increasing significantly. This has led to a situation where 35% of families have removed red meat from their diets due to affordability issues. The ongoing economic difficulties highlight the government's failure to stabilize the market and ensure food security.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iran has seen a significant rise in live cattle prices, leading to a situation where many families can no longer afford red meat. This reflects broader economic challenges and the government's inability to stabilize food prices.
- Live cattle prices have exceeded 220,000 tomans, with red meat prices reaching as high as 900,000 tomans per kilogram.
- 35% of Iranian families have reportedly removed red meat from their diets due to rising costs.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been facing economic difficulties, including inflation and currency devaluation, impacting food prices and availability. The agricultural sector has struggled with supply chain issues and corruption.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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