The cost of home-cooked vegetarian thalis rose by 11% year-on-year in September, primarily driven by significant increases in vegetable prices, particularly onions, potatoes, and tomatoes. A report from CRISIL Market Intelligence and Analytics highlighted that these vegetables account for approximately 37% of the total thali cost. Specifically, onion prices surged by 53%, potato prices by 50%, and tomato prices by 18% compared to the previous year. The rise in onion and potato prices was attributed to lower arrivals, while heavy rainfall impacted tomato production in key states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
In contrast, the cost of non-vegetarian thalis decreased by 2% year-on-year, largely due to a 13% decline in broiler chicken prices, which constitute about 50% of the non-veg thali cost. This drop provided some relief amid stable demand.
Additionally, the report noted a 14% increase in pulse prices, which make up 9% of the veg thali cost, stemming from reduced production last year that resulted in lower opening stocks. Despite these increases, a 11% drop in fuel costs helped mitigate further hikes in thali prices.
Looking ahead, CRISIL anticipates a moderate correction in onion and potato prices as kharif supplies enter the market. However, tomato prices may remain high due to ongoing supply constraints. The average cost of preparing a thali is calculated based on input prices across various regions in India, reflecting the broader impact on consumer expenditure.
