Red Meat Prices Reach One Million Tomans, Head of the National Livestock Supply Council Provides Incorrect Statistics

While the price of red meat has reached one million tomans due to various factors, the head of the National Livestock Supply Council claims there are 'adequate livestock reserves' and an increase in livestock supply to slaughterhouses up to 4 million heads. This statistic contrasts with reports from the Statistical Center of Iran, which consistently indicates a decrease in livestock supply to slaughterhouses in its monthly reports. Mansour Pourian stated in an interview with ISNA that the price of light livestock has been on a downward trend since the beginning of summer, even dropping to 250 tomans or less. However, during the peak consumption season in winter, the price of live livestock has not exceeded 270 tomans. The website Tejarat News reported on March 1 that the price of lamb shank has surpassed one million tomans, with this essential product being purchased from retailers at one million and 220 thousand tomans per kilogram. According to this report, lamb fillet in one-kilogram packaging is traded at one million and 750 thousand tomans. Tejarat News emphasized that lamb tail is priced at 390 thousand tomans, lamb neck at 700 thousand tomans, and lamb heart at 290 thousand tomans. Mansour Pourian also claimed that the total livestock slaughter last year was about 12 million heads, including lambs, calves, and other slaughtered livestock. However, this year, this figure has increased to 8 million heads. The claim of increased livestock slaughter this year comes despite reports from the Statistical Center indicating a continuous decrease in livestock supply to slaughterhouses. The Ham-Mihan newspaper reported last year that the supply of red meat has reached its lowest level since the end of June 2020. The Statistical Center also emphasized in its May report that the volume of red meat supply in the country's official slaughterhouses in Farvardin 1403 has decreased by about 23% compared to Esfand 1402. The Statistical Center further noted that comparing the performance of official slaughterhouses in Aban 1403 with the same month in 1402 shows a 10% decrease in the amount of red meat supply in the official slaughterhouses. The report from Azar also indicates a 13% decrease in the amount of red meat supply in the official slaughterhouses compared to the same month in 1402. According to the Statistical Center of Iran, the supply of red meat by official slaughterhouses in Tir this year has also decreased by 28% compared to the same period last year. A review of the Statistical Center's reports shows that the trend of livestock supply to slaughterhouses has consistently decreased in recent months, with one of the main reasons being reduced demand due to rising prices, the unprofitability of livestock farming, and other ongoing issues in this sector. Reports indicate that per capita red meat consumption in Iran has fallen below three kilograms. A member of the Animal Sciences Research Institute stated that the price of meat has increased by 150% with the removal of the 4200 tomans currency rate. The price of red meat has increased again, with a 20% rise in prices; the market is stagnant in the final days of the year. Claims of 'self-sufficiency' by government officials are overshadowed by empty tables of the people. One-fourth of food items are facing inflation rates exceeding 50%. Red meat has become a luxury item; oil will soon become scarce.