Iran’s Nutrition Crisis Deepens: Meat and Dairy Consumption Plummet Amid Rising Poverty
Iran is experiencing a severe nutritional decline, highlighted by drastic reductions in meat and dairy consumption. In contrast to global trends, red meat consumption in Iran has plunged — down 40% over the past decade. In 2023, Iranians consumed just 8.76 kg of red meat per person annually, compared to 39 kg in the U.S. and 29 kg in Turkey.
Why it matters:
This dietary shift reflects a broader socioeconomic crisis. According to the Iranian Parliament Research Center, 30% of Iranians lived below the poverty line in 2022, and half the population consumed fewer calories than recommended standards. The country’s average daily calorie intake dropped from 2,700 in 2011 to under 2,200 in 2022.
Driving the news:
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data confirms a significant dietary regression: the average Iranian now eats 50% less meat than their Turkish counterparts.
Despite a 133% surge in red meat imports last year, per capita consumption remains 28% below mid-2010s levels.
Chicken has replaced red meat as the dominant animal protein. In 1989, red meat consumption was double that of chicken; today, chicken is three times more prevalent.
The dairy deficit:
Dairy consumption has fallen by 30% since 2010, driven by affordability issues and shifting export priorities.
Turkey’s per capita dairy consumption is now 3.5 times higher than Iran’s, aided by robust public programs targeting vulnerable populations.
Iran, meanwhile, exports four times more milk than it did a decade ago, even as domestic needs go unmet.
Zoom out:
Iran’s food insecurity is escalating, driven by inflation, sanctions, and declining household purchasing power. The country’s changing consumption patterns underscore a public health emergency with long-term consequences.