:: Volume 21, Issue 3 (Autumn 2026) ::
Iranian J Nutr Sci Food Technol 2026, 21(3): 129-133 Back to browse issues page
Erosion of the Compensatory Value of the Electronic Food Coupon (Kalabarg) Amid Food Inflation: The Need for Periodic Revision of Kalabarg Credit
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
Abstract:   (428 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.
Keywords: Electronic Food Voucher (Kalabarg), Optimal Food Basket, Food Inflation, Food Security, Food Assistance Policy, Iran
Full-Text [PDF 411 kb]   (121 Downloads)    
Article type: Brief Policy | Subject: nutrition
Received: 2026/07/13 | Accepted: 2026/08/15 | Published: 2026/09/30
References
1. Cabinet of Ministers. Approval decree on the implementation of livelihood support for the seven lowest income deciles (60 million people) through the Electronic Food Basket (Kalabarg) program. Decree No. 180960/T63713H. 10 Feb 2025. [In Persian].
2. World Health Organization. Fiscal policies to promote healthy diets: WHO guideline. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024.
3. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations Children's Fund, World Food Programme, World Health Organization. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025: Addressing high food price inflation for food security and nutrition. Rome: FAO; 2025.
4. Pourghaderi M, Mohammadi-Nasrabadi F, Abdollahi M, Houshiar-Rad A, Khoshfetrat M, Esfarjani F, et al. Optimal and Thirfty Sustainable Food Baskets of Iran-2023. Iranian J Nutr Sci Food Technol 2024; 19(1): 1-16 [In Persian].
5. Statistical Center of Iran. Average retail prices of selected food items in urban areas of Iran. Tehran: Statistical Center of Iran; 2025-2026. Available from: https://www.amar.org.ir. [In Persian].

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Volume 21, Issue 3 (Autumn 2026) Back to browse issues page