Food now takes 74.5 percent of Iran's minimum wage as the household food basket rises 133 percent

An analysis by Donya-e-Eqtesad based on the Ministry of Welfare's standard consumption basket shows that Iranian households' food costs in Tir 1405 were 133 percent higher than in Tir 1404. On that basis, food's share of the minimum wage rose from 59 percent in Tir 1404 to 74.5 percent in Tir 1405, leaving a family of four just 25.5 percent of the minimum wage for housing, healthcare, clothing, transport and all other spending. The minimum wage for 1405 had been raised by about 60 percent.

Data from the Statistical Center of Iran show food basket prices in Tir 1405 were more than 128 percent higher year on year. The steepest annual increases were in solid cooking oil at 399.5 percent, liquid cooking oil at 344.3 percent, mayonnaise at 253.1 percent and imported rice at 211.3 percent.

The monthly pace, however, slowed: food item inflation registered 2.5 percent in Tir, and monthly food inflation was 4.4 percentage points below Khordad's reading. The largest monthly rises were carrots at 40.2 percent, oranges at 25.1 percent and potatoes at 20.5 percent, while chicken, eggs, bananas and some pulses became cheaper.