Significant Increase in Computer Prices in Iran

The currency market in Iran has experienced severe fluctuations in recent months, leading to a rise in the prices of computer equipment, including laptops. Investigations into this market show that the prices of various laptops have increased by at least 8%, with some brands seeing price hikes of up to 12%. According to a report by Fars News Agency, this market also witnessed a 20% price increase at the end of the year 1396 (2017). Among various laptop brands, Microsoft is considered one of the more expensive options. A laptop with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage, and a 13-inch display costs around 11 million tomans. Mohammad Mahdi Mir Mahdi, the head of the Computer Technologists Union, stated that currently, importers who completed their import processes before the unification of the dollar exchange rate are facing issues with customs clearance, as Iranian customs only accepts registration and clearance of goods under banking conditions following the unification of the currency. Importers, having brought in their previous products at high exchange rates and not having received dollars at the rate of 4200 tomans, are pricing their products based on the free market dollar rate. He explained that in an industry capable of exchanging billions of dollars, only orders placed on the first day received more than 100,000 dollars in state currency, and all subsequent orders were returned. Some news sources in Iran have reported that several importers have taken advantage of the situation and have 'hoarded' products, which is one reason for the lack of price reduction in various markets. In such conditions, some technology websites in Iran are suggesting second-hand purchases to circumvent the situation. The technology site Zoomit reported that the recent rise in the dollar rate has led to a 15% to 20% increase in prices. In this context, the second-hand laptop market may provide more affordable options for buyers. The technology site Digiato reported that the computer market is currently facing serious challenges, and if the government had not announced a fixed exchange rate for the currency, the situation would not be as it is now. Seyyed Mahdi Mir Mahdi, head of the Computer Technologists Union in Tehran, also believes that if the government had not announced a fixed exchange rate for the currency, the current conditions would be different. According to Mir Mahdi, the announcement of a fixed rate of 4200 tomans has 'caused market disruption, price increases, unsold goods, and a relative shutdown of the market.' Currently, the 4200 toman dollar does not exist, and the Central Bank has also announced that state currency will not be allocated to IT goods.