Are bread protests expected in Iran?
“People’s coffers have been full for years”
In Iran flour sharp rise in prices social led to warnings of riots. That’s the point that, The government has decided to suspend subsidies for imported wheat.
The decision, which came into force on May 1, has raised the price of flour by 500 percent, and prices are expected to rise further. Prices for bread, pasta and confectionery are also rising, and store shelves are empty.
RFE / RL’s Persian Service reports that, The sudden situation is loyal to the clerical regime of Iran deputieshas issued a warning about possible protests.
Warnings
Sub-group of Basij military group, a wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Student Basij hard-line supporter President Chief Ibrahimsent a stern warning to
“It simply came to our notice then that, society is not ready for an increase in prices at this level. Market turmoil in recent weeks, especially the Ministry of Agriculture’s increase in flour prices for industrial producers social complications and will lead to riots “, – The group said on May 5.
Reformist politician Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi also criticized the decision and wrote on Twitter that, abolition of subsidies and flour of price dollarsIt was “a big mistake by the government” to allow it to rise to the global level created by the United States.
“People’s coffers have been full for years” – he noted.
U.S. sanctions and years of mismanagement have made it difficult for many Iranians to make ends meet. Official statistics according to, inflation Nearly 40 percent, food inflation is expected to be higher. Iranian media reports that rice has risen in price by 130 percent in recent years. For this reason, many consumers have switched to alternative products such as bread.
The administration has also cut drug subsidies to address the growing deficit.
20 more than a million tons of wheat
President of the Iranian Flour Producers Association Muhammad- Rza Murtazavi said on May 2 that, the country is more dependent on foreign wheat than ever before, in 2022 20 will import more than a million tons of wheat. Given the barriers to wheat exports from Ukraine due to the war, Iran cannot expect agricultural products to become cheaper, Murtazavi said.
Iran imported about 16.5 million tons of wheat last year. Iran buys most of its wheat from Russia.
Murtazavi said in late April that, bakeries and government subsidies to food producers will be cut, flour The impact of rising prices on their products was warned in advance
A Finance Ministry official said on May 5 that, A new program aimed at providing consumers with subsidized bread will be introduced.
“People will pay for the bread, the government will pay the difference.” – ministry official Ibrahim Siami said. He did not say when the program would be launched, but said it would begin in a few days.
Objections
Radio Farda writes that the warning about public unrest is not unfounded. Last summer, water shortages in western Iran sparked mass protests. Protests in many cities have been violently suppressed for days.