Threat to infant food security
According to the Sedaye Sama News Agency, In recent years, the shortage of infant formula has become a serious and persistent challenge for families in Iran. Parents often have to visit multiple pharmacies to find regular or specialized formula, which places significant stress on both infants and caregivers. Economic sanctions and the resulting shortage of foreign currency are among the main causes of this situation, as they disrupt access to raw materials needed for domestic production and to imported therapeutic formulas. Smuggling infant formula to neighboring countries and its misuse in certain industries have further intensified the problem.
Despite requirements such as providing the infant’s national ID number and a monthly quota of eight cans at government-set prices, violations and smuggling still occur, indicating weak oversight across the supply and distribution chain.
One of the most severe issues is the government’s failure to provide the necessary foreign currency. Current monthly production is estimated at about 4–4.5 million cans—roughly 1.5 million cans below national demand. Manufacturers rely heavily on imported raw materials, yet only a small portion of the required currency has been allocated this year, leaving companies with approximately USD 120 million in debt to foreign suppliers.
The industry requires around USD 250 million annually to secure raw materials and import specialized medical formulas. Continuous delays in currency allocation have caused persistent shortages, while overdue payments by distribution companies—amounting to nearly 1,000 billion tomans—have further strained producers. Raw material stocks have fallen to less than two months, and two out of five domestic factories have halted production due to shortages.
The sharp rise in consumption—from 45 million cans five years ago to 80 million last year, despite no increase in birth rates—suggests widespread smuggling and misuse. Subsidized infant formula is significantly cheaper than industrial formula, creating incentives for illegal diversion.
Infant formula is vital for child nutrition and national food security, and shortages endanger infant health. Mismanagement of currency allocation, inefficient distribution systems, and weak regulatory oversight of pharmacies and distributors are key contributors to the current crisis. Improving transparency, enforcing stronger oversight, and ensuring timely allocation of foreign currency are essential steps to stabilize supply and safeguard infant health.
source: donyaye eghtesad
