The Chicken Crisis Claims a Victim; A Former MP Becomes CEO of the Poultry Farmers' Union

The crisis of chicken shortages and rising prices has led to the dismissal of the CEO of the Iranian National Poultry Farmers' Union and the appointment of a former MP as his successor. According to Iranian media, Ali Ebrahimi, a former MP, has replaced Habib Asadollahnajad by the order of the chairman of the union's board. This change comes as the newspaper Hamshahri reported that chicken prices have reached around 100,000 tomans and stated, 'The amount of chicken distribution has halved compared to last week.' Concurrently, Hossein Damavandi Nejad, the Deputy for Livestock Production at the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture, threatened producers with security measures, stating, 'There will be severe legal action against any slaughterhouse, store, or supply agents that sell chicken above the approved price.' A review of news reports regarding chicken and its price increase indicates that security measures in this area have begun in recent days. In this context, on May 21, the head of the judiciary in Khuzestan province announced the issuance of an indictment against those accused of smuggling 70 tons of frozen chicken from the Shalamcheh border by the Khorramshahr prosecutor's office. According to Ali Dehghani, these suspects were arrested during the loading of chicken and were sent to prison after a suitable bail was issued. On the same day, the head of the Jihad Agriculture Organization in Lorestan announced the security measures in the chicken production and distribution cycle, stating, 'The exit of chicken from the province is prohibited.' Emad Shahrokhi declared this action as part of ensuring food security. The Fars news agency also questioned the government's and the union's performance in controlling the chicken market, writing, 'The market lacks rules and laws, and prices are almost arbitrary, with no deterrent oversight in the market.' This news agency attributed the disorder in the chicken market to the poultry producers' union and quoted Mohammad Aghamiri, the caretaker of the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture, stating that 'unions and producers do not adhere to the approved prices.' According to this news agency, producers have increased the price of one-day-old chicks from 16,000 tomans to 32,000 tomans per chick. This report contrasts with the view of a member of the board of the poultry farmers' union, who attributed the main reason for the increased production costs of chicken to inflation and rising production costs. Ataollah Hassan Zadeh emphasized that before the new year, from November 6 to January 4, chicken was sold at least 5,000 to 7,000 tomans below production costs, which led to 'producers being harmed' and a decrease in production. Investigations by 'Voice of America' also show that chicken production has been declining since the elimination of the 4,200 toman currency last year, with the Poultry Statistics Center reporting production dropping from 202,000 tons in Farvardin 1401 to 169,000 tons in Tir 1401, and continuing this downward trend to 132,000 tons in Mehr 1401. Published statistics indicate that poultry production in the country reached over 186,000 tons in Esfand 1401. Experts believe that the current situation and renewed production decline are 'somewhat' influenced by the Central Bank's performance in providing the necessary currency for poultry feed imports, as there were repeated warnings from producers regarding the non-allocation of currency for meal and reduced production in Esfand last year. Meanwhile, demand for chicken meat has increased due to a decrease in per capita consumption of red meat. Long lines of citizens waiting to buy chicken at government prices in Ahvaz, chicken shortages in Urmia; hours of waiting for a maximum of two chickens per person. When statistics speak; the heavy shadow of hunger in Iran. Obtaining meat and chicken through 'barter'; an economist says: Iran's economy is 'mafioso'. Market disregard for price controls; 'egg struggle' between the government and poultry unions. With the announcement of responsible officials; chicken prices will increase after the Eid al-Fitr holidays. Ibrahim Raisi appointed the head of the Veterinary Organization to continue as the caretaker of the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture.