Wave of Price Increases in the Pre-New Year Market and Increased Government 'Regulatory Actions' Against Businesses

As the end of the year approaches, a new wave of price increases has emerged in the market for food and essential goods, and the Iranian government has prioritized 'regulatory actions against businesses' instead of addressing the root causes of inflation. Some experts believe that the government's security and regulatory approach in the market stems from its inability to control inflation. In this context, the website 'Eghtesad 24' reported that it is unclear whether the government's plans for regulating the pre-New Year market involve 'only stronger enforcement and penalties for merchants' or if there will be other programs, such as a heavy supply of quality goods across all sectors, which would lead to price reductions. Analysts believe that, unlike previous years when increased demand led to rising prices, demand for most goods has decreased this year, yet the upward trend in prices continues. The ISNA news agency also claimed that on the eve of the New Year, the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture announced sufficient supply of essential goods and is trying to maintain stability in the market by implementing new policies, including pricing imported rice, changing the origin of meat imports, and planning to control potato exports. Officials claim that reserves of essential goods exceed the country's needs and that people can shop for the New Year with peace of mind. However, published official reports indicate a sharp increase in prices, with data from the Statistical Center showing that the price of lentils has risen by 58%, chickpeas by 45%, lentils by 33%, red beans by 32%, almond kernels by 15%, walnut kernels by 13%, and pistachio kernels by 7% in a six-month point-to-point inflation rate. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the prices of some items have surged with the onset of Ramadan, and contrary to officials' claims of market regulation during Ramadan and the New Year, prices continue to rise due to volatility in the currency market. The turmoil in the currency market and rising food prices have become one of the crises in Iran's economy, which many experts believe will force a significant portion of society below the poverty line if it continues. In this context, a member of the Social Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has stated that the government must have serious control and management over the market for people's essential goods during the end of the year. Moslem Salehi emphasized that new information and statistics released about the inflation rate show that inflation remains high and that the government has not succeeded in curbing it. The market stagnation on the first day of Ramadan and on the eve of the New Year has led several trade unions to state that the minimum wage should not be less than 60 million tomans. Reports of stagnation in the market; one expert stated: the economy is stronger from every hand. There has been a significant increase in agricultural product prices in the first six months of the government of Mohsen Medicalian.