In Iran, an alarming rise in food prices has significantly diminished access to basic nutritional needs among its population, according to Iranian state media.

With inflation soaring, many Iranians find it increasingly difficult to afford essentials such as red meat and dairy products. In 2023, the price of red meat escalated by 63.5%, reaching over 600,000 tomans per kilogram, reports Khabar Online. This steep increase led to a drastic reduction in meat consumption, with the average intake per person plummeting from 8 kilograms to a mere 2 kilograms among lower-income families, and as low as 700 grams per person annually among the poorest. This is a stark contrast to even some of the poorest African nations, where annual meat consumption per person is significantly higher.

The state-run website Fararu notes a drop in milk and dairy production by 268,000 tons in the same year. Despite claims of a 42% increase in dairy exports by government sources, domestic production continues to decline, suggesting a lack of local purchasing power. From a robust industry of over 1,000 dairy companies in the 1980s, only about 200 remain operational today.

Despite official reports of economic growth and decreased inflation by the administration of Ebrahim Raisi, Iran remains one of the countries with the highest inflation rates globally. This discrepancy has been a cause for concern among analysts and officials who caution against the optimism portrayed by the government. Jalal Mahmoudzadeh, a member of the parliament, stated that the middle class has nearly vanished, with a significant increase in families living below the poverty line.

The economic pressures have also stirred fears of public unrest. Taqi Azad Ermaki, an analyst, warned that the government’s repressive measures could further provoke public outrage rather than restore calm. This sentiment is echoed by Masoud Pezeshkian, a former MP, who criticized the luxury lifestyles of government elites amid such dire economic conditions, highlighting a stark contrast between the opulent lives of the few and the struggles of the many.

Hashmatollah Fallahatpisheh, the former head of the parliamentary National Security Committee, acknowledged widespread corruption within the regime. He outlined the involvement of high-level officials, lobbyists, and power brokers in perpetuating financial exploitation, thereby maintaining the status quo.

This crisis is further compounded by the depreciating value of the Iranian currency, with the dollar’s exchange rate jumping from 28,500 tomans to nearly 70,000, causing additional economic instability and affecting everyday life for millions of Iranians. As prices continue to climb and economic policies fail to address the root causes, the gap between the government’s claims and the harsh realities faced by its citizens widens, leaving many to question the path forward in addressing Iran’s deepening economic crisis.

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