New bread prices in Tehran have sparked widespread public concern, with price increases of up to 66% being implemented as of Monday, September 9. Fatemeh Nazari, head of the Tehran Traditional Bakers’ Union, confirmed that prices have been updated in all smart card payment systems used in bakeries across the city following approval from the Ministry of Interior.
“The price of simple Sangak has risen from 3,000 to 5,000 tomans, while simple Barbari made with first-grade flour has jumped from 1,800 to 2,500 tomans. Barbari with second-grade flour now costs 3,500 tomans, up from 1,500,” Nazari stated in an interview with Mehr News Agency. This marks an increase of around 66% for Sangak and up to 133% for certain types of Barbari.
Additionally, the pricing structure for sesame bread has changed, with customers now able to purchase between 10 and 30 grams of sesame separately through the smart card systems, allowing the baker to add sesame at the customer’s request.
#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
These price hikes reflect broader economic challenges in Iran, where inflation and rising living costs continue to weigh heavily on consumers. While the official increase applies to bakeries using government-subsidized flour, many bakeries across Tehran, especially those not using subsidized flour, have already raised their prices far beyond the government’s approved rates.
Reports from state-run Hamshahri Online confirmed the mandatory implementation of these new prices, while Fars News Agency, aligned with the IRGC, blamed the bakeries, reporting on instances of fraudulent practices. According to Fars, some bakeries are manipulating the smart card payment systems by registering multiple loaves per transaction to gain additional flour quotas from the government.
Compounding these frustrations is the limited availability of subsidized bread. Citizens have reported difficulty accessing government-subsidized bakeries, with long lines and few locations offering the cheaper bread. This scarcity has forced many Tehran residents to turn to non-subsidized bakeries, where prices are significantly higher.
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
The recent increase in bread prices is part of a broader trend across Iran. In mid-August, price hikes were reported in several provinces, including Qazvin and South Khorasan, where bread prices rose by 25%. According to reports from Mehr News Agency, similar increases are expected in more than 10 other provinces in the coming months.
Adding to the concerns are operational difficulties, including frequent power outages, which have disrupted bakery production and led to significant wastage. Mohammad Javad Karami, former head of the Fancy Bread Union in Tehran, noted that “the sudden power cuts are causing the dough to spoil, forcing bakers to throw away large batches, which in turn reduces their flour quotas.”
These challenges, combined with rising prices, have led to growing public frustration. While government officials argue that price increases are necessary due to rising production costs, many citizens fear the worsening economic situation will only lead to further hardships.
