People's Accounts of Protein Consumption; The Absence of Meat on Tables

The website of the Shargh network, affiliated with the Shargh newspaper, has conducted a field report asking people about their protein consumption and the changes that have occurred in this regard. The majority of respondents stated that they no longer consider buying meat. According to Shargh, 'people's tables have become meatless,' and most people have either removed red meat from their diets or rationed its consumption. In response to a suggestion from an official who stated that people should use fish instead of red meat, interviewees said that this comment reflects a lack of awareness regarding economic conditions, as fish has been removed from people's tables before meat. Meanwhile, an official report from the State Statistics Center shows that among various goods, different types of meat are leading in price inflation with a rate of 50.9%. Several experts and activists in this field believe that with the continued downward trend in demand, alongside the emptying of meat production capacity in the country, further inflation in this sector will occur. In this context, a trade official on March 7, 1402 (February 26, 2024) pointed out a report from the Statistics Center indicating an 18% decrease in livestock population in December compared to the same month last year, stating that production is not in a good state. Some activists in this sector believe that these statements by Afshin Sadr-Dadras confirm the rise in meat prices above 700,000 tomans, and the decrease in livestock population and production crisis has strengthened the likelihood of further price increases. The critical situation in meat production, pricing, and consumption occurs while government-affiliated media and officials have consistently emphasized the downward trend in market prices in recent months, even mentioning 'bartering meat with blue Nissan trucks' as one of the achievements of President Ebrahim Raisi's trip to African countries last July. Despite all these issues, the decrease in per capita meat consumption and other food items, along with a significant portion of households being unable to secure the minimum necessities for proper nutrition, has led the government to prioritize the electronic coupon scheme. Alongside this, on November 28, the Ministry of Labor announced the deepening of the livelihood crisis and the start of supportive subsidies for families unable to provide food for their children. With these supportive schemes proving ineffective, the government, on the occasion of the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution, initiated a new supportive livelihood aid called 'Fajraneh' and announced that this program would continue until May. The 93% inflation rate for red meat in just the past year; loans are needed for purchases. The depth of the livelihood crisis during Ramadan; daily wages of 250,000 tomans, with iftar and suhoor costs reaching 650,000 tomans. Market regulation for the New Year and Ramadan is in a coma; the engine of inflation has started. The empty food basket has put people in line; media reports: people return empty-handed. Eggs are the only protein source for workers; the government seeks minimal wage increases. One news agency pointed out that with a livelihood basket of 28 million tomans, lower-income groups are surviving on eggs. Food inflation of 38% exceeds the annual inflation rate.