Price Discrepancy of at Least 'Double' for Fruits and Vegetables Between Markets and Stores

As the year comes to a close and preparations for the public's celebration of Nowruz begin, the price discrepancy for fruits and vegetables between wholesale markets and city stores has significantly increased. While these products are offered at more reasonable rates in wholesale markets, they are sometimes priced up to double in retail stores. The news agency 'Borna' reports that greenhouse cucumbers are sold in wholesale markets for 43,000 tomans, but in city stores, they are priced at 75,000 tomans for similar quality and weight. Additionally, stone lemons are priced at 64,000 tomans in wholesale markets and 144,000 tomans in the open market. This price discrepancy is also observed in other products; for instance, lettuce is 24,000 tomans in wholesale markets and 90,000 tomans in stores, French lettuce is 35,000 tomans in wholesale markets and 75,000 tomans in stores, colored bell peppers are 55,000 tomans in wholesale markets and 90,000 tomans (for 500 grams) in stores, and yellow apples from Lebanon are 42,000 tomans in wholesale markets and 87,000 tomans in stores. This price difference indicates a lack of sufficient oversight over the supply and distribution chain. Reports suggest that the presence of multiple intermediaries in the distribution process of fruits and vegetables adds extra costs, increasing the final price for consumers. Moreover, the lack of transparency in pricing and the absence of officially approved prices in city stores have led sellers in different areas to offer varying prices to customers. The report further emphasizes that to resolve this issue, continuous and more precise oversight from responsible authorities is necessary, along with solutions such as developing chain stores, creating online price monitoring systems, and supporting producers to supply products directly to the market. Otherwise, consumers will have to purchase their necessary fruits and vegetables at exorbitant prices, despite the possibility of offering them at 'fairer' rates. Previously, reports from some media in Iran indicated that the sharp increase in prices and the decline in people's purchasing power have led to the emergence of 'installment purchases' for consumer goods during Yalda night, with some families even simplifying or omitting the celebrations altogether. The website 'Eghtesad 100' stated that the poor economic conditions have made it difficult for many families to buy fruits and special snacks for the holidays. The severe price increases in Iran; installment purchases have reached nuts and fruits for Yalda night. Tomatoes have reached 70,000 tomans; the dominance of tomatoes in the vegetable market. A civil activist stated that with receiving one-fifth of the legal pension, the government has not fulfilled its promise of 'implementing Article 27' regarding individuals with disabilities.