The cost of a typical homemade vegetarian thali increased by 5 per cent in January, compared to the previous year, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali decreased by 13 per cent, as reported on Wednesday.
According to Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics (MI&A) Research’s ‘Rice Roti Rate’ estimates, the prices of key ingredients like pulses, rice, onions, and tomatoes contributed to the rise in the cost of the vegetarian thali, whereas a decline in poultry rates led to a decrease in the cost of the non-vegetarian thali.
The cost of the vegetarian thali rose due to a substantial year-on-year increase of 35 per cent and 20 per cent in the prices of onions and tomatoes, respectively, the report mentioned. Additionally, rice (which constitutes 12 per cent of the vegetarian thali cost) and pulses (9 per cent) experienced a 14 per cent and 21 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase, respectively.
Conversely, the decline in the cost of the non-vegetarian thali was attributed to a 26 per cent drop in broiler prices in January compared to the same month in the previous year, driven by higher production, according to the report.
However, on a month-to-month basis, the cost of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis decreased by 6 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively.
This reduction was influenced by a 26 per cent and 16 per cent month-on-month decrease in the prices of onions and tomatoes, respectively, due to an increased domestic supply of onions amid export restrictions and the arrival of fresh tomatoes from northern and eastern states, the report explained.
The cost of the non-vegetarian thali saw a faster decline due to an 8-10 per cent month-on-month decrease in broiler prices, which constitute 50 per cent of the total cost.
