Vegetarian Thali Costs Rise by 10% in June, Non-Vegetarian Thali Costs Drop by 4%

In June, the cost of preparing a home-cooked vegetarian thali surged by 10% compared to the same period last year, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali decreased by 4%, according to the latest estimates from a CRISIL report.

Vegetarian Thali

The increase in the cost of a vegetarian thali is mainly due to a sharp rise in the prices of essential vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. Tomato prices shot up by 30%, onion prices soared by 46%, and potato prices increased by 59%. These price hikes are attributed to high temperatures, virus infestations, and unseasonal rainfall affecting crop yields in key growing regions like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Other staple ingredients for the vegetarian thali also saw price increases. Rice prices rose by 13%, and pulses saw a 22% increase due to a dry spell during key kharif months.

Non-Vegetarian Thali

In contrast, the cost of a non-vegetarian thali decreased primarily due to a notable decline in broiler prices, which fell by around 14% year-on-year. Despite this annual trend, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis saw a rise in costs on a month-on-month basis from May to June. The cost of the veg thali increased by 6%, driven by continued low arrivals of vegetables, while the non-veg thali rose by 4%, mitigated by a modest 1% increase in broiler costs.

Future Projections

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has noted a significant reduction in rabi crops and a decline in potato arrivals due to crop damage and disease, particularly in West Bengal. Onion production is projected to decline significantly, while tomato production is expected to see a slight increase.