As of Monday, September 9, consumers are facing steep rises in the cost of basic bread types, such as Sangak and Barbari, following approval from Iran’s Ministry of Interior. These increases, confirmed by Fatemeh Nazari, head of the Tehran Traditional Bakers’ Union, reflect broader economic challenges facing the country, where inflation continues to strain the everyday lives of citizens.
In an interview with Mehr News Agency, Nazari detailed the specific price hikes, stating that simple Sangak now costs 5,000 tomans, up from 3,000, while simple Barbari made with first-grade flour has risen from 1,800 to 2,500 tomans. The sharpest increase has been in Barbari made with second-grade flour, which has jumped from 1,500 to 3,500 tomans—an increase of over 130%.
The rise in prices is not limited to traditional bread alone. Changes to the pricing structure of sesame bread now allow customers to purchase sesame separately through smart card systems, adding another layer of complexity for consumers already struggling with soaring costs.
#Iran News in Brief
Asserting to address wage disparity, the clerical regime in Iran has raised the price of #bread in Bushehr Province.https://t.co/egkeCef83t pic.twitter.com/6pWfc7sSrI— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 5, 2024
While the price hikes officially apply to bakeries using government-subsidized flour, many bakeries in Tehran, especially those operating without subsidies, had already raised their prices prior to the government’s mandate. Some residents report having to turn to these unsubsidized bakeries due to the limited availability of subsidized bread, a problem exacerbated by long queues and a scarcity of government-supported bakeries.
Compounding the issue, there have been allegations of fraudulent practices in certain bakeries, with reports from Fars News Agency accusing some of manipulating smart card payment systems to inflate flour quotas. This, combined with ongoing power outages disrupting bakery operations and leading to wasted dough, has only added to the frustrations felt by both bakers and consumers alike.
Watch and judge how #Khamenei who has been squandering #Iran's wealth on global terrorism and regional warmongering has got the nerve to accuse ordinary people of wasting water, bread and electricity. pic.twitter.com/YCGqWdVkK7
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 29, 2024
Government officials maintain that the price increases are necessary due to rising production costs, but for many citizens, the higher prices are yet another sign of the country’s worsening economic situation. As similar bread price hikes are reported in provinces across Iran, the public is bracing for further financial strain in the coming months.
