Market Regulation for Nowruz and Ramadan in Coma; Inflation Engine Started

With the onset of Ramadan and the upcoming Nowruz in Iran, it seems the government's promises for regulating the market of essential goods have faded as media report the beginning of a price increase for certain items in the market, including chicken. In this context, the news agency of the poultry and livestock industry announced that the price of live chicken has risen to over 80,000 tomans per kilogram. A review by VOA from reputable online stores in Iran shows that each kilogram of whole slaughtered chicken is offered to consumers between 90,000 to 120,000 tomans. Cut and cleaned chicken is priced between 170,000 to 220,000 tomans in the market. Meanwhile, Masoud Amrollahi, the director general of the Ministry of Agriculture's supervision over essential goods, announced on March 11 that the approved price of chicken was 78,000 tomans and stated that 'the needs for Nowruz and Ramadan are met' and that prices exceeding 80,000 tomans are 'violations.' The newspaper 'Etemad' also reported that 'Ramadan arrives while the prices of items and consumer goods for iftar and sahar have increased several times compared to last Ramadan.' According to this newspaper, preparing an iftar meal for a family of 4-5 people costs around 900,000 tomans at a minimum. The newspaper 'Ham-Mihan' also examined the livelihood crisis in Iran and reported that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that the consumption of various meats in Iran has declined in 2023, with the per capita meat consumption being one-third less than the global average. This newspaper emphasizes that the purchase of red meat has long been removed or significantly reduced from household shopping baskets as the price of beef has increased by about 300% over the past five years. A review by VOA of statistics published by Iran's Statistical Center shows that the annual inflation rate for food and beverages in Bahman of this year was 42.5%, and this figure for food items including bread and cereals, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, oil, and fats was reported at 45.1%. An economic journalist pointed out to VOA that 'contrary to officials' claims, inflation has never been controlled, and economic indicators show the continuation of price increases in the market.' Reza Ghaibi emphasized that with the arrival of the new year, we will witness an increase in the price of the dollar, more restrictions in securing dollars for importing essential goods, the possibility of increased sanctions, rising production costs, and pressures from taxation, which will accelerate the growth of prices. According to Ghaibi, the recent increase in currency prices will also impact the prices of goods and services in the medium term. On the other hand, the website 'Tejarat News' reported that the people's situation on the eve of Nowruz has become much more complicated than before. This analytical news website, which follows economic issues, wrote that over the past year, rice has increased by 21%, red meat by 52%, chicken by 37%, tea and dates by 111%, eggs and cheese by 51%, and sugar by 74%. Reports also indicate that with the arrival of Nowruz and Ramadan, prices have once again entered a rising trend despite this level of increase. The acknowledgment of the Islamic Republic's inability to control prices; the deputy: guilds should control themselves. A news agency pointed out that with a livelihood basket of 28 million tomans, lower-income households are surviving on live chickens. The autumn of jobs in the spring of inflation; restaurant owners are on the brink of bankruptcy. Inflation is 38% higher than the annual inflation rate for food items.