According to Shahr Bours, the surge is driven by a combination of seasonal supply shortages and the rising costs of agricultural inputs. As the Persian New Year (Nowruz) approaches, demand is peaking, causing a ripple effect across all categories from lentils to chickpeas.

Market Dissection: What’s Behind the New Price Tag?

1. Pinto Beans: The Performance Leader: Pinto beans (Lobia Chiti) have recorded the highest growth in this round of updates. Once a staple for budget-friendly meals, it is now testing new psychological resistance levels in retail stores. Analysts point to a reduction in imports and higher logistics costs as the primary culprits.

2. Lentils and Chickpeas: Moderate but Steady: While not as volatile as pinto beans, lentils (Adas) and chickpeas (Nokhod) have also seen a price “adjustment.” These items are currently trending upwards by 5% to 8% compared to last month, reflecting the broader inflationary pressure on the food sector.

3. The “Pre-Nowruz” Effect: Historically, the month of Bahman marks the beginning of stock-piling for the New Year holidays. This surge in household demand, coupled with merchants holding back inventory, has created a temporary supply-demand imbalance, further heating up the prices.