Despite official claims from Iranian regime authorities that bread prices in Tehran have not been authorized to increase, recent evidence suggests otherwise. In various parts of the capital, the price of bread has surged, in some cases doubling within just a few days. This development has sparked widespread concern and confusion among the populace, who rely heavily on bread as a staple food.
Doubling of Bread Prices Confirmed
Mizan News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran regime’s judiciary, reported on Wednesday that the price of bread in certain bakeries had indeed doubled. According to their field surveys, the price of Sangak bread—previously sold for 5,000 tomans—has now risen to 10,000 tomans. Similarly, Barbari bread, which was priced at 3,000 tomans, now costs 5,000 tomans, and Taftoon bread has seen its price increase from 1,000 tomans to 2,000 tomans.
The price hikes are not confined to physical bakeries alone. Online bakeries have also raised their prices, with Sangak bread—formerly 8,000 tomans—now being sold for up to 15,000 tomans, depending on whether it is made with sesame seeds, black seeds, or vegetables.
Government-Approved Prices vs. Reality
According to the Market Regulation Headquarters, the official prices for various types of bread are as follows:
- Barbari bread: 2,500 tomans
- Sangak bread: 3,000 tomans
- Taftoon bread: 1,200 tomans
- Taftoon Gardan bread: 1,000 tomans
- Lavash and machine Taftoon bread: 500 tomans
However, these prices apply only to bakeries that sell government-subsidized bread, which are few in number and often unable to meet the demand. Consequently, many people have no choice but to purchase bread from independent bakeries, where prices are significantly higher.
The Impact of Government Policies
In the summer of 2022, the Iranian regime, claiming to combat flour smuggling, introduced bread rationing and prohibited its free sale. At the time, officials assured the public that bread prices would remain stable and that only the method of distribution would change. They also claimed there would be no restrictions on purchasing government-subsidized bread. However, the government’s failure to allocate sufficient flour to these bakeries effectively led to bread rationing, forcing consumers to turn to independent bakeries for their needs.
This situation has resulted in a phenomenon of multi-tiered pricing for bread, with prices varying not only between cities but also between regions and even from one bakery to another. Despite the recent surge in bread prices in Tehran, officials have disclaimed responsibility, labeling the increases as “illegal.”
Official Responses and Public Reaction
Hamidreza Rastegar, head of the Tehran Chamber of Guilds, denied the legality of the price hikes, stating that no decision had yet been made to increase bread prices. He indicated that a final decision would be postponed until the new regime officials are in place, at which point, according to him, “the decision on the price of bread will be stable.”
Despite repeated assurances about the “stability of bread prices,” ISNA News Agency admitted that the inconsistency in bread pricing across various bakeries in Tehran has led to widespread “confusion and complaints” among the public.
Bread Price Increases Beyond Tehran
The increase in bread prices is not limited to Tehran. Recent reports indicate similar price hikes in cities such as Kerman, Tabriz, Qazvin, and Mashhad. The Director General of Grains in Kerman Province confirmed a 25% increase in bread prices, stating that it had been authorized by the government. In Tabriz, prices for all types of bread increased by a similar margin starting Wednesday morning.
Earlier, Mehdi Jafari, the deputy governor of South Khorasan, announced that bread prices would soon rise by up to 25% in ten provinces across Iran. This comes even as the research center of the Iranian parliament had previously deemed the bread subsidy for 2024 insufficient.
The Bread Subsidy Issue
In the 2024 budget bill, the Iranian regime allocated 143 trillion tomans for bread subsidies. However, the parliament’s research center estimated that the required budget for this subsidy should be at least 178 trillion tomans and could be as high as 192 trillion tomans. These figures suggest that the regime, aware that the allocated budget would be insufficient, chose not to increase it, thereby indirectly triggering the mid-year price hikes for this essential commodity. Responsibility for the price increases was then passed on to the provincial flour and bread councils, allowing the government to distance itself from the issue.
Bread is a fundamental part of the Iranian diet, and the recent price increases are a significant burden on a population already struggling with reduced purchasing power for other basic necessities. For low-income families, who make up approximately 80% of the country’s population, the rising cost of bread further shrinks their already limited food budget, exacerbating economic hardships and increasing public discontent.
As bread prices continue to rise across Iran, the government’s handling of this issue will likely remain a contentious topic, with far-reaching implications for the country’s social and economic stability.
