Iran considers 23% increase in electronic food coupon values

The Central Bank of Iran is considering a potential 22% to 23% increase in the value of electronic food coupons to align with market rate changes. If implemented, the monthly credit per person could rise from 1 million tomans to approximately 1.23 million tomans.

Abdolnaser Hemmati, the Governor of the Central Bank, emphasized that while the government is committed to continuing these payments, the funding must not come from printing money to avoid driving inflation. A proposed model suggests that the increase might be targeted specifically at lower-income households, potentially limiting the 23% boost to the first six income deciles, while higher deciles would remain at the current 1 million toman rate.

The government is also reportedly reviewing the list of eligible recipients, including identifying individuals residing abroad, to help free up necessary resources. The 1405 budget law has already allocated approximately 960 trillion tomans to support the existing subsidy program.