The state-run Iranian Students News Agency ISNA reported an unusual rise in the price of bread in Iran on Tuesday April 30.

However, the chairman of the trade union for traditional bakers has told the agency that the rise in the price of bread is "illegal."

Bread has always been the cheapest essential food in Iran and usually heavily subsidised by the government to make sure that everyone gets the minimum ingredient for a cheap meal.

Officially, the price of the two main popular types of traditional bread in Iran is 6500 rials for a loaf of Barbari and 8000 rials for a stone-baked Sangak bread. That is around 50-60 cents.

According to ISNA these breads have been selling for 20,000 rials each (about $1.50) in recent days, roughly three times the usual price.

Food prices have risen dramatically in Iran in the past one year, as the rial has dropped fourfold in value against foreign currencies and inflation hovers around 50 percent. According to the latest official report, food prices have increased 85 percent compared to last year.

An official decision to increase the price of bread was overruled by President Hassan Rouhani in 2017, reported ISNA. However, according to the agency, since then, bread has become thinner and lighter and lower in quality.

The ISNA report, says the inspection authorities in Iran have been ignoring the price rise for reasons that are yet unknown.