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Erosion of the Compensatory Value of the Electronic Food Coupon (Kalabarg) Amid Food Inflation: The Need for Periodic Revision of Kalabarg Credit
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M Ahmadi    , N Tavakoli , D Ghodsi , F Mohammadi Nasrabadi , A Shokri , S Kamalian , M.E Motlagh , A Doustmohammadian , A Norouzy * |
| Iran University of Medical Sciences , norouzy@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (4 Views) |
Background and Objectives: The Electronic Food Basket (Kalabarg) scheme was introduced to support household food security and compensate for part of the price increases following the removal of preferential subsidies for basic food commodities. In Dey 1404, a fixed monthly credit of Ten million Rials per person was allocated for purchasing eligible food items. Given the continuous rise in food prices, evaluating the adequacy of this credit is essential.
Materials and Methods: The cost of the Iranian Optimal Food Basket was estimated using the recommended food quantities specified in the Optimal Food Basket for Iranians (1402) and the average retail food prices published by the Statistical Center of Iran. Monthly costs were calculated for Dey 1404 to Ordibehesht 1405 and compared with the fixed Ten-million-Rials Kalabarg credit.
Results: The monthly cost of the optimal food basket increased 44.7% within five months from Dey 1404 to Ordibehesht 1405. During the same period, the Kalabarg credit remained unchanged. The gap between the increase in food basket cost and the fixed credit widened from about 3080000 Rials in Esfand 1404 to more than 17 million Rials in Ordibehesht 1405.
Conclusion: The Ten-million- Rials Kalabarg credit offset only part of the increased cost of an optimal diet during the initial months of implementation and rapidly lost its compensatory value as food inflation persisted. These findings support periodic adjustment of the Kalabarg credit according to changes in the cost of the optimal food basket and more targeted allocation of benefits to lower-income households. |
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| Keywords: Electronic Food Voucher (Kalabarg), Optimal Food Basket, Food Inflation, Food Security, Food Assistance Policy, Iran |
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Full-Text [PDF 411 kb]
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Article type: Brief Policy |
Subject:
nutrition
Received: 2026/07/13 | Accepted: 2026/08/15
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