New data from the Statistical Center of Iran shows that prices of food and beverages in the country increased by 194% from the beginning of the Persian calendar year 1400 (March 21, 2021) to August 21, 2024.

During the three-year term of the 13th government, food prices have almost tripled.

The report, published on the Statistics Centre’s website, also shows that inflation in the 12 months to August this year was 34.8 percent compared to the same period last year.

During this period, the annual inflation increase was highest in Isfahan, West Azerbaijan and Kurdistan, while inflation was lowest in Sistan and Baluchestan, with an annual inflation rate of 25 percent.

In addition, prices of goods and services rose by 31.6% (point-to-point inflation) in August this year compared to August last year.

The highest point-to-point inflation in August was in Ilam and the lowest in Sistan and Baluchestan.

Annual and point-to-point inflation rates were higher in urban areas than in rural households in August.

The highest price increase last month compared to August 2023 was in public transport, with an increase of 54%, followed by housing and rent inflation, which were 43% each.

The Statistical Center’s report also claims that the price of oils and fats in August this year not only did not increase compared to the same month last year, but actually fell by 0.7 percent.

This claim is made despite the fact that oils and fats have seen the highest price increase among food products after red meat since March 2021, with a price increase of 278%.

Overall, the highest inflation rates since March 21, 2021 were recorded in winter 2022 and spring 2023, during which time the Statistical Center and the Central Bank suspended the publication of monthly inflation reports for several months.

However, after the Statistical Center resumed publishing monthly inflation reports last summer, it became clear that point-to-point inflation had been above 50 percent during those months.