Iran's Statistical Center: Annual Inflation Rate Reaches Approximately 46 Percent

On Sunday, May 7, the Statistical Center of Iran announced that the annual inflation rate of consumer goods and services for households, based on the base year of 1400, reached 45.8 percent in the last month of 1401 (February 2023). According to the Statistical Center, inflation continued its upward trend in Farvardin (March-April 2023), with the 'fruits and dried fruits' group experiencing the highest monthly inflation at 15.3 percent, followed by 'transportation' at 8.6 percent and 'miscellaneous goods and services' at 7.0 percent. Additionally, the lowest monthly inflation in Farvardin was related to the 'education' group and 'milk, cheese, and eggs' at 0.3 percent, and the 'oils and fats' group at 0.5 percent. Meanwhile, the Mehr News Agency reported on the rising prices of sugar and chicken meat in the third week of Farvardin 1402. The news agency wrote: 'Less than 50 days into the year 1402, price fluctuations in the markets for sugar, eggs, chicken, and other food items continue, with sugar averaging 38, chicken 87 thousand tomans per kilogram, and sugar 33 tomans.' The agency noted a noticeable decrease in the supply of dairy products in chain stores, indicating that alongside the official price increase of chicken and eggs, people should expect new prices for dairy products as well. Although some producers have raised prices for items such as yogurt, milk, and buttermilk, these price changes have not yet been officially announced. Meanwhile, the Tejarat News website referred to an agreement between the government and livestock farmers on a price of 15 thousand tomans per kilogram for raw milk, stating: 'If the market regulation headquarters agrees and announces the price of 15 thousand tomans, the price of raw milk will increase by 25 percent compared to last year; thus, we should expect a 30 to 35 percent increase in dairy prices in the near future.' Experts express concern over the removal of various meats and rice from the tables of low-income households in recent months and years, predicting that with the current trend of price increases, the demand for dairy products this year will decrease even more compared to last year. In this context, protests in Iran have increased since the beginning of this year. Additionally, labor activists and unions have called for wage increases to over 20 million tomans. However, the government of Ebrahim Raisi has opposed any wage increases. Hyperinflation and livelihood problems; report by Ashkan Soltani. The bread controversy in Iran; traditional stone-baked bread costs 5 thousand tomans in person, 25 thousand tomans online. The International Monetary Fund predicts an inflation rate of 42.5 percent for the Iranian economy. The 'multi-price' bread issue is a new problem for the people in Iran. Criticism of the government has increased due to the lack of data publication; controlling inflation through 'statistical imprisonment.'