Non-veg thali prices rise by 12%

Crisil said the rise in vegetarian thali cost was driven by an increase in tomato and potato prices, which collectively account for 24 per cent of the cost of a thali. Tomato price rose 24 per cent to Rs 47 per kg in December 2024 from Rs 38 per kg in December 2023. Potato price surged 50 per cent on a low base last year to Rs 36 per kg in December 2024 from Rs 24 per kg in December 2023 due to an estimated 6 per cent on-year December line in production, Crisil said.

Adding to the cost was a 16 per cent on year jump in vegetable oil prices due to import-duty hike, coupled with higher demand during the festive and wedding seasons.

However, an 11 per cent on-year drop in LPG fuel cost (to Rs 803 per 14.2 kg LPG cylinder in Delhi from Rs 903 last year) provided a partial offset.

A veg thali comprises roti, vegetables (onion, tomato and potato), rice, dal, curd and salad. A non-veg thali has the same elements except for dal, which is replaced by chicken (broiler).

The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing in north, south, east and west India. The monthly change reflects the impact on the common man’s expenditure. The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil and cooking gas) driving the change in the cost of the thali, Crisil said.

On-month, the cost of a vegetarian thali declined 3 per cent in December 2024, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali is estimated to have increased at a similar pace. Tomato prices fell 12 per cent on-month, helped by fresh supplies from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, Crisil said.

A 2 per cent and 12 per cent on-month drop in potato and onion prices, respectively, further supported the price December line. The cost of non-vegetarian thali grew at a faster pace due to an estimated 11 per cent on-month increase in broiler prices on a dip in production triggered by a cold wave in the north. This, coupled with a rise in festive- and wedding-season demand, along with an elevated feed cost, exacerbated the woes, Crisil said.

India’s headline retail inflation rate accelerated to a four-month high of 5.69 per cent in December, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on January 12. This was due to an unfavourable base effect.

The RBI’s monetary Policy Committee (MPC) retained the Repo rate at 6.50 per cent in the December monetary policy. However, it slashed the cash reserve ratio.