International reporting
In Iran, inflation soars and is felt by consumers
Audio 02:29
A long queue forms at Qezel Qaleh market in Tehran, where people line up to buy chicken.
© RFI/Murielle Paradon
By: Siavosh Ghazi
2 mins
After the Iranian government's decision nearly a month ago to remove subsidies on bread, chicken meat, eggs and even pasta, we are witnessing a surge in the prices of all everyday consumer products, but also of other products.
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From our correspondent in Tehran,
For several weeks, we have been witnessing an explosion in the prices of all products.
This has caused great discontent, especially among the disadvantaged and middle classes.
The government has decided to grant direct aid of around 10 euros to each Iranian to compensate for these increases, but this aid is far from sufficient.
The average salary is around 180 to 200 euros.
In the small bazaar of Tehran, located in the north of the capital, Amir a fruit merchant affirms that his sales have halved for a month.
“
When prices go up, people buy less.
The situation is bad.
Our sales are down by half compared to before, compared to before the price increase.
Everything has become expensive...
”, laments the merchant.
The price of a liter of milk increased by 150%
An opinion shared by Zeinab, a housewife in her forties who came to do her shopping with her eight-year-old son.
“Almost
everything has doubled
,” she notes.
“
It became much more difficult.
If before the salary was enough to pass the month, today it is finished at the beginning of the month.
In all areas, everything has become more difficult.
For food products, which are the primary needs of each family, but this increase also concerns all household items.
»
On social networks, many Internet users are surprised at the price of disputes produced.
The price of a liter of milk has been increased by 150% while the price of pasta has almost tripled.
According to official figures, since the end of subsidies and the rise in prices, the consumption of chicken, meat or fruit has fallen sharply.
Households can no longer afford to buy products as before.
Inflation likely to continue
The rise in prices also affects drugs, which are still subsidized by the government, as required by Mehran, a pharmacist in his fifties: "
Prices have increased between 15 and 60%
", explains Mehran.
“
We are also witnessing a shortage of certain drugs.
Especially expensive and rare disease drugs.
Many people have problems buying medicine
.
»
Experts believe that inflation could increase further in the coming months and cause social and economic tensions.
In recent days, new demonstrations by retirees or teachers have taken place in several provincial towns.
In recent months, we had already witnessed demonstrations by teachers, justice and prison workers to demand an increase in their salaries.
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Iran
consumption