Iran Increases Raw Milk Prices by 20%, Adding Pressure to Dairy Industry Amid Economic Struggles
This increase comes amid persistent inflation and rising living costs, exacerbating the financial strain on Iranian households, particularly those with low incomes. Ali Ehsan Zafari, Chairman of the Dairy Products Union, warned that while milk prices will see a modest rise, products like cheese are expected to experience a significant 25% price increase. This follows a concerning trend of declining dairy consumption in Iran, with per capita consumption dropping to less than 70 kilograms annually, down from 100-130 kilograms before 2010.
The price hike has also sparked dissatisfaction among farmers, who argue that the adjustment was long overdue. Mojtaba Ali, CEO of the National Cooperative Union of Iranian Dairy Farmers, highlighted that rising production costs have put immense pressure on farmers, many of whom have endured financial losses over the past seven months due to low milk prices.