Food inflation in Iran

Iranhas faced severefood inflationin the past decade, driven by multiple factors. These includeagricultural,climaticandenergychallenges, significant issues inwater management, and inefficiencies in thefood supply chain. A major contributing factor is the involvement of theIranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)in the economy, particularly in the agriculture andfood sectorsbut also due to significant spendings onIran's proxieswhich increase the public deficit.The IRGC’s influence has been linked to mismanagement andcorruption, exacerbating problems inwater resources, agricultural practices, and food production.
Approximately one-third of Iran's totalsurface areaconsists ofarable farmland; however, less than one-fourth of this—equivalent to about one-tenth of the total land area—is actively cultivated. This limited cultivation is due to poor soil quality and inadequatewater distributionacross many regions. Of the cultivated land, less than one-third benefits fromirrigation, while most rely ondry farmingtechniques. The most fertile soils are found in the western and northwestern regions of the country.
Since 2014, Iran has faced a persistent decline in food production,coupled with significant increases infood prices. For instance, the price ofricehas surged by 2.11 times between 2012 and 2023, whilebreadcosts have risen 3.4 times from 2011 to 2023.Potatoeshave tripled in price over the same period, andchicken filletshave seen a 2.06-fold increase from 2010 to 2023. Despite these inflationary trends, themediannet salaryin Iran has only grown by 33% between 2020 and 2023, between 2022-2023 alone theIranian riallost half of its value, inflation surpassed 50% and theminimum wagerose only by 27%.This discrepancy underscores the nation’s food crisis, with recent data revealing that in a period of several weeks in 2024, bread prices rose by 66% andmilkprices rose by 25%.These trends indicate ongoing food shortagesand exacerbate food insecurity in Iran, where approximately one-quarter of the population resides inslums, facing moderate to severe food insecurity.
In response toIran's nuclear and ballistic missile advancements, as well as its backing ofmilitant organizationsthat compromise regional peace, the United States, in conjunction with a network of international allies, has imposed arigorous sanctions regime.This multifaceted approach extends beyond Iran’s military activities, with its record ofhuman rights abusefurther justifying the global punitive measures. The sanctions have specifically targetedIran's crucial oil sectorand banking systems, which are central to itseconomy. As a result, these measures have significantly undermined the nation's ability to earnforeign currency, dealing a critical blow to its economic infrastructure andforeign traderelationships. This limitation has considerably impeded Iran's capacity to import essential food products and agricultural inputs, includingseeds,fertilizers, andmachinery. Consequently, the sanctions have led to increasedproduction costsand higher food prices. Furthermore, the disruption of criticalsupply chainshas increased transportation expenses, intensifying inflationary pressures within the country.
Due to international sanctions and ineffective economic management, the Iranian rialdepreciatedsignificantly by approximately 37% between October 2014 and October 2024.This depreciation rendered imports more expensive, directly affecting the prices of food products, particularly those reliant on imported goods. Moreover, the government's efforts to managemultiple exchange rateshave introducedmarket distortionsand inefficiencies, further exacerbating price volatility.
Iran is grappling with severewater scarcityanddesertificationthat adversely impact itsagricultural output. Over the past century, Iran's population surged from ten to over eighty-five million, and its renewable water resources declined from 130 BCM (Billion Cubic Meters) to 80-85 BCM. Projections suggest that by 2041, water resources could be halved, posing significant challenges as the population is expected to exceed 100 million. Per capita water availability is anticipated to fall below 500 cubic meters, marking absolute scarcity.Extended periods ofdroughtand inefficientwater resourcesmanagement, in addition to outdated infrastructure and agricultural practices continue to limit productivity, further contribute to rising prices.
Global factors, includingclimate change,armed conflicts(e.g.,the war in Ukraine), andinternational marketfluctuations, affect food prices worldwide. As Iran is a significant importer of food and agricultural inputs, these global trends directly affect its domestic pricing. In particular, increases in the prices of key commodities such aswheat,corn, andvegetable oilscontribute to Iran'sfood inflation.
The Iranian government has, at times, cut subsidieson essential goods or tried to reform the subsidy system to address budget deficits. These changes often lead to sudden price hikes in food items. The subsidies have been replaced within-kindtransfers.
For several decades, the Iranian government has regulated the prices of over 20 essential goods. These prices, known asadministered prices, are determined by the Consumer and Producer Protection Organization (CPPO) in collaboration with the Iranian Parliament. The CPPO sets consumer prices below bothreference (border) pricesandproducer prices, with the governmentbudgetabsorbing the resulting financial gap.
In 2007, food subsidies represented approximately 2.8 percent of Iran's GDP. These subsidies are primarily directed toward cereals, which account for 50 percent of the total, while other basic food items such assugar,cooking oils, andbaby formulascomprise an additional 25 percent. The remaining 25 percent is allocated to various goods, including paper, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals.
As part of the Targeted Subsidies Reform, the government raised bread prices by as much as 25 percent in December 2010. After this adjustment, the CPPO prohibited any further price increases and instituted regular market inspections to prevent public unrest that could arise from inflationary pressures.
The subsidy cuts continue, despite the public unrest they cause to Iranian citizens who are grappling with risingpovertyand rampant inflation, to reducebudget deficits.
Smuggling of subsidized goods, such aswheatand other food staples, is common in Iran due to price discrepancies between Iran and its neighboring countries. Traders profit from exporting these goods illegally, reducing domestic availability and inflating prices. This problem is compounded by insufficient enforcement and border control, allowing such activities to thrive.
Intermediaries, who play a significant role in Iran's distribution network, oftenhoardfood products when they anticipate price increases. By controlling the release of these goods, they can manipulate market conditions to maximize profits. This practice not only increases prices but also leads to significantvolatilityin the market.
The absence of modern infrastructure and transparent regulatory oversight allows corrupt practices to flourish. Inefficient transportation and storage systems result in spoilage and loss, reducing the effective supply of food. Additionally, the government's lack of proper market monitoring mechanisms enables these inefficiencies and manipulations to persist unchecked.
Inefficiencies andcorruptionin distribution systems can lead to artificial shortages and price manipulation, contributing to inflation. This situation is rooted in several systemic issues:
Corruptionwithin Iran's food supply chain represents a significant structural challenge, where politically connected businesses and individuals exploit their influence to monopolizedistribution channels. These actors secure preferential access to subsidized food commodities, a privilege often derived from their ties topolitical elites. By hoarding these essential products, they deliberately engineer artificial shortages, only to later release the goods into theblack marketat significantly higher prices. This form of market manipulation not only distorts supply dynamics but also exacerbates inflationary pressures, undermining botheconomic stabilityand equitable access to essential goods.
The Iranian government's control of prices through subsidies and other measures frequently backfires. For example,subsidiesmeant to make essential items affordable are sometimes misappropriated by corrupt officials and traders who sell these goods outside official channels at inflated rates. This diversion exacerbates shortages in the official markets and pushes up prices.
Rapidurbanizationand agricultural demands have exacerbated the country's already scarce water supply. With approximately 90% of Iran's water resources allocated to agriculture, the inefficiency ofirrigationpractices and the overreliance ongroundwaterare leading to severe depletion of these vital reserves. The role of climate change, which is intensifyingdroughtsand reducing available surface water, further stresses the system. Iran's water management strategies, including the construction ofdamsand water transfer projects, have been politically driven and often disregard environmental and social impacts. These policies contribute to ecological damage, including the drying up ofriversandwetlands, such asLake Urmia, which has shrunk by over 80% due to diversion projects and the construction of dams without proper environmental assessments. Such ecological damage affects biodiversity and threatens agricultural productivity, as salinization renders once-fertile land unusable,and further intensifies dust storms and land subsidence in regions likeKhuzestanandSistan-Baluchestan. Such environmental degradation, combined with insufficient governmental oversight and transparency, worsens living conditions for marginalized communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty and socio-politicalmarginalization.These policies fail to address the root causes of scarcity and disproportionately affect rural and peripheral communities, leading tocivil disorder.
Corruption in Iran'swater supplysector has deep roots and manifests through misallocation of resources, illegal water extraction, lack of transparency, and neglect of marginalized communities.Iran's water management systemhas been plagued bypolitical favoritism. TheIRGCand other politically connected entities control water resources, prioritizing projects for political and economic gain rather than public need. They divert supplies to favored regions, causing shortages in vulnerable provinces likeKhuzestanandSistan-Baluchestan. For example, water diversion projects inIsfahanandYazdprovinces received priority despite critical shortages in Khuzestan and Sistan-Baluchestan. Reports also indicate that certain agricultural and industrial enterprises with ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have received significant amounts of water, while small farmers and rural communities struggle with severe shortages.In addition, rural and minority populations face ecological degradation and a loss of livelihoods. This pattern of unequal development not only exacerbates regional disparities but also fuels social unrest. Iran's water policy is also characterized by an overreliance on dam construction and large-scale diversion projects, primarily benefiting politically connected enterprises and urban elites.
The IRGC, through its construction armKhatam al-Anbiya,monopolizesIran's water management. This "water mafia" controls major infrastructure projects likedamconstruction, prioritizing financial and political gains over environmental and social considerations. The IRGC's dominance undermines sustainable water policies, contributing to Iran's ongoing water crisis and highlighting the complex interplay between power, corruption, andresource management.
Illegalwater extractionin Iran is a significant issue, contributing to the country's water scarcity. Many influential figures, including local officials and powerful business interests, operate unauthorized wells andexploit groundwater reservesbeyond legal limits. Despite regulations to control water use, enforcement is weak, leading to the depletion of criticalaquifers, land subsidence, anddesertification, especially in agricultural regions likeFarsandKhorasan. The problem is compounded by corruption, as those with political connections often evade penalties, further undermining sustainable water management efforts. According to Mohammad Hajrasouliha, the managing director of Iran Water Resources Management Company, there are almost 320,000 illegal wells, and between 13,000 and 14,000 illegal wells are sealed yearly. The fees for water are another factor causing misuse of water.
Transparency issues arise from the allocation of contracts forwater infrastructureprojects. Iran's opaque procurement process often involves awarding contracts to companies associated with political elites without open and fair competition. This leads to inflated project costs and results in poor quality and environmentally damaging outcomes. A notable example is theGotvand Dam project. Despite warnings from environmental experts about the dam's construction on salt beds, which would increase thesalinityof theKarun River, the project proceeded due topolitical pressureand vested interests. The dam's construction led to severe ecological damage and increased salinity levels, rendering the water unusable for agriculture and consumption downstream.
Protests related to water shortages have become increasingly common in Iran. In July 2021, demonstrations erupted inKhuzestanwhen citizens accused the government of diverting water resources to support industries and other regions, leaving local communities without sufficient drinking water or irrigation supplies.Similar unrest has occurred in Sistan-Baluchestan, where residents face chronic water shortages exacerbated by mismanagement and illegal water extraction.
The foodsupply chainconsists of five main stages: production, handling and storage, processing and packaging, distribution and retail, and finally, consumption. It differs significantly from a regular supply chain due to the perishability of products, strictsafety regulations, and the need for precisetemperature control, especially incold chainlogistics. Key challenges include managing condition deviations such as temperature or humidity fluctuations, which can cause spoilage; preventing package damage during transportation; and ensuring compliance withfood safety standards. High maintenance costs are also a concern, particularly for perishable and cold chain items, as they require specialized equipment and monitoring. Furthermore, the flow of information across the supply chain is critical, as delays or inaccuracies can lead to inefficiencies and disruptions. The food supply chain demands efficient management,integrated data systems, and adherence to global safety regulations to maintain product quality and minimize losses.
In addition to water management, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plays a significant role in Iran's economy.The IRGC has strategically diversified its operations beyond military and defense industries into critical sectors such as agriculture, construction,telecommunications, and energy. This expansion aligns with Iran's "resistance economy" policy to achieve self-reliance and mitigate the impacts of international sanctions.The IRGC's economic influence includes dominance over agricultural development and food production projects. Through its construction and engineering arm,Khatam al-Anbiya(GHORB), the IRGC manages and develops large-scale agricultural and irrigation projects, giving it control over crucial aspects of food production. This involvement ensures that the IRGC can manipulate Iran's food supply chainand monopolize critical segments of the food industry, from farm outputs to food processing facilities, thus limiting competition. The IRGC uses its dominant position in Iran's food industry as both an economic and political tool. The organization benefits from favorable government contracts and subsidies, further entrenching its presence. By controlling the distribution of essential commodities like wheat, livestock, and other food products, the IRGC gains leverage over the population and local markets. This allows it to suppress dissent and maintain loyalty by manipulating access to essential resources, this being part of a broader trend ofmilitarizationof Iran's economy. The IRGC uses its influence to manage critical supply chains, including food, which allows it to stabilize and control internal markets, particularly in times of crisis or under sanctions. This move not only supports their logistical needs but also strengthens the IRGC's economic and political leverage within the country.The IRGC's practices contribute to theinformal economy, where food and agricultural products aresmuggledor withheld tomanipulate prices. For example, the IRGC's involvement in border controls and critical transportation hubs, such as airports, allows it to bypasscustomsregulations, importing goods illicitly to maintain its economic advantage. This behavior often destabilizes local markets and contributes to food insecurity, as the organization's financial interests may not align with public needs.
These activities highlight the IRGC's transition from a military and security body to a comprehensive socio-economic entity within Iran, wielding significant power over critical resources, including the food supply chain.
Tackling food inflation in Iran requires a deep, multifaceted approach due to the complex nature of the underlying causes.
Iran's agricultural sector has faced declining productivity due to water shortages, outdated irrigation systems, and inefficient farming practices. Improving agricultural productivity is key to stabilizing food prices, and several steps can be taken.
Modernizing Irrigation Techniques: Iran relies heavily on water-intensive crops like rice and wheat. The country also has one of the highest water withdrawal rates in the world. Transitioning to modern irrigation systems such asdriporprecision farmingcan reduce water usage while increasingcrop yields. Adopting New Agricultural Technologies: Investing in agricultural technology, includingmechanization, better seeds (e.g.,drought-resistantvarieties), andsoil fertilitymanagement, could significantly boost production efficiency. Government Support for Farmers: Providing education, subsidies, and financial assistance to small farmers can help them transition to more sustainable practices. Support programs targeting efficient use of resources would increase resilience againstprice shocksand reduce reliance on imports.
Iran’s current subsidy system is heavily focused on energy and basic goods, often leading to market inefficiencies and resource mismanagement. Transitioning from universal subsidies (which encourage overuse) to targeted subsidies forlow-incomefamilies can improve efficiency. This allows the government to allocate resources better and reduce inflationary pressures. While price controls aim to protect consumers, they can lead to shortages when prices are set below market levels. Iran could better balancesupply and demandby gradually moving towards a system that allows prices to reflect market realities while protecting vulnerable populations with direct financial assistance. Enforcing regulations to curb hoarding,monopolisticpractices, andprice gouging, particularly by powerful entities like the IRGC, is crucial for maintaining fair prices.
Corruption and a lack of transparency are significant barriers to economic stability in Iran. The IRGC’s involvement in various economic sectors, including food distribution, distorts the market and contributes to inflation. The government could reduce the economic role of entities like the IRGC by imposing regulations or transferring state contracts to private firms through transparent bidding processes. This would fostercompetitionand reduce monopolistic practices.
Iran’s over-extraction of groundwater and inefficient use of surface water must be addressed. Policies such as water pricing reforms, investment in water-saving technologies, and promotingwater recyclingcould help conserve resources and support agriculture. Combattingsoil erosionand desertification through sustainable agricultural practices, such ascrop rotation,agroforestry, andorganic farming, can enhance food security (Amiraslani & Dragovich, 2011; Emadodin et al., 2012).