Cost of veg thalis drop slightly in November, but rise by 7% year-on-year

The cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali increased by 7% on a yearly basis but saw a 2% decline on a monthly basis in November 2024, driven primarily by higher prices of tomatoes and potatoes, as highlighted in Crisil’s Roti Rice and Plate report.

The price of tomatoes surged by 35% year-on-year, reaching ₹53 per kilogram (kg) in November 2024, up from ₹40 per kg in November 2023. Potato prices, similarly, jumped by 50% year-on-year, rising from ₹25 per kg to ₹37 per kg, primarily due to a 20% drop in arrivals, caused by poor yields following late blight infestations in key potato-producing states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Additionally, the cost of pulses and vegetable oils increased by 10% and 13%, respectively, contributing further to the inflationary pressure on vegetarian meal prices.

In contrast, the cost of a non-vegetarian thali increased by just 2% on a yearly basis, with a slight moderation in broiler chicken prices, which make up about 50% of the non-veg thali cost. Despite a 3% drop in broiler prices, rising costs of other ingredients, including vegetable oils and spices, led to a modest increase in the overall price of non-veg thalis.

On a monthly basis, the cost of a vegetarian thali declined by 2% in November, mainly due to a 17% drop in tomato prices following fresh supplies from states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. However, this was offset by increases in the prices of vegetable oil, onions, and potatoes, which limited the overall decrease in thali costs.

For non-veg thalis, prices remained stable on a monthly basis, as a 2% rise in broiler chicken prices was balanced by relatively steady prices of other non-veg ingredients.

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