Title: Government Intensifies Market Oversight as New Essential Goods Prices Take Effect
Introduction
In a concerted effort to stabilize the market and address public needs, the Iranian government has released its weekly price monitoring report for essential goods. The data, covering the week leading up to October 16, 2025, highlights a mix of price adjustments and new regulatory measures aimed at ensuring affordability. Officials have underscored their commitment to utilizing all legal mechanisms to regulate the market, emphasizing that price control is a key public demand.
A Top-Down Directive for Market Stability
The political will behind these market interventions was made clear by Gholamreza Nouri Qezeljeh, the Minister of Agriculture-Jahad. In a recent session of the Committee for Business Support, Minister Nouri affirmed the administration’s focus. “Our expectation is to use existing legal capacities to regulate the market and control prices,” he stated. “Controlling prices is a public demand of the society.” He further stressed the importance of acknowledging the challenges felt by the people, signaling a responsive approach to economic governance.
Red Meat: A Focus on Affordability
Significant developments are underway in the red meat market. According to Masoud Namazi, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, imported warm veal is slated to be supplied in stores for less than 700,000 Tomans. This move is part of a broader initiative to increase supply and reduce costs for consumers. Reports from this week also indicate a notable decrease of approximately 100,000 Tomans in the price of packaged red meat, a change attributed by the Secretary of the Iranian Chamber of Cooperatives’ Agriculture Commission to the resolution of certain issues in red meat imports.
Poultry and New Additions to the Subsidy Basket
The market for poultry has seen the implementation of new government-set prices. As per the new official pricing, a kilogram of chicken is now being sold in all licensed protein shops for 135,700 Tomans. The price for a kilogram of live chicken has been set at 87,000 Tomans.
In a related development, turkey meat has been added to the list of items available through the electronic subsidy card system. Consequently, its market price has seen an adjustment, rising by 1.7 percent from the previous week’s range of 169,000-179,000 Tomans to 182,000 Tomans per kilogram. Tilapia fish, another new addition to the subsidy program, is being sold in fish markets for 890,000 Tomans per kilogram.
Eggs: Official Prices and Market Realities
Mid-October also saw the announcement of new official prices for eggs. The head of the Central Union of Iranian Poultry Farmers announced the set price for a kilogram of eggs at the farm gate as 77,000 Tomans, an increase from the 63,000 Tomans set in May. The retail price for consumers was subsequently set at 92,000 Tomans per kilogram. However, market observations note that the actual retail price can be higher, with some supermarkets selling a 30-egg tray (weighing approximately 2 kg) for 210,000 Tomans, compared to the government’s recommended ceiling of 184,000 Tomans.
Other Essential Goods: Tea, Pasta, and Canned Fish
Price adjustments were also recorded for other staples. The price of foreign-packaged tea in the Iranian market increased, with a 500-gram package rising from 574,900 Tomans to approximately 640,000 Tomans. Furthermore, the prices of pasta and canned tuna, which had previously increased in June, saw another rise in October. A 700-gram package of pasta increased by about 14 percent, while a standard 180-gram can of tuna increased by approximately 11 percent.
Government-Sanctioned Price Table
The following table, based on official data, provides a snapshot of current prices for a range of essential goods (prices are in thousand Tomans, for one kilogram unless otherwise specified):
| Essential Goods | Current Week’s Price | Last Week’s Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Meat | 135.7 | 135.7 |
| Packaged Veal (Various Cuts) | 890 – 990 | 890 – 1,000 |
| Frozen Veal | 690 – 750 | 690 – 750 |
| Eggs (30-egg tray) | 149 – 210 | 149 – 210 |
| Tilapia Fish | 355 | 365 |
| Pasta (700g) | 47 | 47 |
| Canned Tuna (180g) | 119.9 | 119.9 |
| Foreign Tea (500g) | 640 | 574.9 |
Alternative Avenues for Savings
In a concluding note, the report from the Central Bank highlights that citizens can procure several items at lower prices from municipal fruit and vegetable markets. For instance, during the monitored week, items like mutton, veal, chicken, eggs, legumes, and domestic rice were sold at significant discounts—ranging from 7% to 25%—compared to regular city shops, providing a more affordable option for consumers.