Meat and Chicken Procurement through 'Barter Trade'; An Economist: Iran's Economy is 'Mafia-like'

A field report from a newspaper highlights instances of 'barter trade' and 'working' to buy 'a few chicken thighs' in various areas of Tehran. Previously, an economist told Voice of America that in the 'mafia-like structure' of Iran's economy, all resources are in the hands of affiliates of Ali Khamenei. The Tehran-based newspaper Etemad reported on Wednesday, April 13, citing chicken and meat sellers in different parts of Tehran, emphasizing that 'in recent months, people's purchasing conditions have changed.' It stated that 'many' people have turned to 'barter trade' to procure meat and chicken 'for their present and future or for hosting guests,' exchanging them for 'local yogurt and cheese, pickles, or homemade jam.' The report emphasized that the current state of the meat and chicken market and the decline in sales of these products have led to the closure of many stores, forcing those employed in this sector to seek other jobs. Economist Siamak Shojaei told Voice of America that three factors—'corruption, mismanagement, and the Islamic Republic's desire to acquire nuclear weapons'—have resulted in Iran's economy not being a normal economy and moving towards crisis and destruction. This economic expert pointed out the collapse of the national currency's value in the 'mafia-like structure,' stressing that 'Iran needs billions of dollars in foreign investment, including in the oil and gas industries,' but in 'Iran's economy, all human, natural, and financial resources are in the hands of a limited number of affiliates of Ali Khamenei.' According to a chicken shop owner, wealthy and charitable individuals used to deposit a monthly amount with sellers for 'needy and unable individuals to buy meat and chicken,' but 'there's no news of them anymore.' Another seller from an affluent area in Tehran confirmed the decrease in purchasing power of people in that region, stating that chicken sales have 'decreased by about 50 percent' in recent months, and the situation for red meat is 'worse, with purchases down by 70 percent.' The Etemad report also noted that in Ahvaz, long lines form to buy chicken, and according to the debt records of poor individuals at butcher shops in Khuzestan province, the highest debts are related to 'chicken skin and chicken feet,' with citizens stating that the meat situation is 'worse than during the Iran-Iraq war.' One citizen mentioned that due to rising prices, people have reduced their meat and chicken consumption and have turned to cheaper and less valuable parts of chicken, stating that 'this disaster has been caused by the government to raise everything's prices again.' Another citizen noted that buying chicken three times a week costs him about 1.2 million tomans a month, while another said he mixes cheaper parts of chicken with barberry to feed his children. Additionally, ILNA news agency reported that Alireza Asgariyan, the Deputy Minister of Welfare and Economic Affairs, described this year's workers' wages as 'a fair achievement' and stated that the government has tried to ensure that workers earn 'at least as much as employees and even a bit more' amid inflation. However, psychologist Hossein Roozbehani stated that 'rising prices' and 'removal of food items from household baskets' will hinder 'the physical and mental growth' of children and 'will likely weaken the relationships among family members.' Despite these reports on citizens' living conditions in Iran, the Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare claimed on International Workers' Day that workers can live with dignity and well with their current wages and income, provided they and their families practice 'contentment.' These statements have drawn widespread criticism. Furthermore, the poverty line has reached 21 million tomans, while parliament representatives have increased their own salaries. Criticism of the government has risen due to the lack of statistical releases; controlling inflation through 'statistical imprisonment'; the Statistics Center's refusal to announce inflation for Esfand and Farvardin; and one expert stating that livelihood is not a priority. Officials have announced that chicken prices will rise after the Eid al-Fitr holidays, and a parliament representative stated that inflation is rampant, criticizing the Raisi government as weak. Meat remains unattainable, and the decrease in meat consumption is clearly noticeable.