The average cost of a vegetarian thali increased by 9% in May, driven primarily by soaring prices of onions, tomatoes, and potatoes, according to a report released Thursday by Crisil Market Intelligence and Analysis.
The report, titled "Roti Rice Rate," revealed that the cost of a veg thali, consisting of roti, vegetables (including onions, tomatoes, and potatoes), rice, dal, curd, and salad, rose to Rs 27.8 per plate in May, up from Rs 25.5 in the same period last year. This increase also marked a slight uptick from April 2024's Rs 27.4.
The surge in prices of tomatoes (39%), potatoes (41%), and onions (43%) were cited as key factors contributing to the overall hike in the cost of the vegetarian thali. Reduced onion arrivals, attributed to a significant drop in rabi acreage, and decreased potato arrivals due to late blight and crop damage in West Bengal were noted as driving forces behind the price increases.
Additionally, the report highlighted a 13% increase in rice prices and a 21% increase in pulse prices, further impacting the cost of the veg thali. However, prices of cumin (down 37%), chili (down 25%), and vegetable oil (down 8%) experienced declines, mitigating further cost increases.
Meanwhile, the cost of a non-vegetarian thali, which substitutes dal with chicken while retaining all other ingredients, decreased to Rs 55.9 in May, compared to Rs 59.9 in the same period last year. This also represented a decline from April 2024's price of Rs 56.3 per thali.
The report attributed the decrease in the cost of the non-veg thali to a 16% decline in broiler prices, which hold a 50% weightage in the overall price.
Follow us
