New Delhi: In March, the cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali increased by 7 percent, reaching Rs 27.3, up from Rs 25.5 in the same month of 2023. Conversely, the price of a non-vegetarian thali declined by 7 percent, now priced at Rs 54.9 compared to Rs 59.2 during the same period, according to a report by rating agency CRISIL.
The vegetarian thali typically includes roti, onion, tomato, potato, rice, dal, curd, and salad. In the non-vegetarian version, chicken (broiler) replaces the dal.
The calculation of average thali costs considers input prices across North, South, East, and West India. The increase in prices of onion, tomato, and potato by 40 percent, 36 percent, and 22 percent respectively on a year-on-year basis contributed to the rise in vegetarian thali prices.
Short supply of onion and potatoes in the market, coupled with last year’s price surge in tomatoes due to scarcity, impacted overall costs. Rice prices rose by 14 percent, and pulses increased by 22 percent due to supply shortages. Interestingly, the price of a vegetarian thali in March fell by one percent compared to February (Rs 27.4), primarily due to a 2 percent decline in tomato prices.
On the other hand, the non-vegetarian platter became more affordable in March, with broiler chicken prices falling by 16 percent year-on-year. Pushan Sharma, research director at CRISIL Market Intelligence and Analytics, highlighted the divergence in prices between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food plates over the past five months.
Sharma explained, “While the vegetarian thali has become costlier year on year, the non-vegetarian thali is now cheaper. This difference is attributed to the decline in broiler chicken prices due to excess supply.” However, the price of the non-vegetarian thali increased by two percent in March compared to February, driven by a five percent jump in crude oil prices. Additionally, the demand for chicken meat during Ramzan and rising fodder costs played a role.
Looking ahead, Sharma predicts that the arrival of fresh crops in the market will lead to falling wheat prices, while tomato prices are expected to remain soft. However, there may be some strength in onion prices due to a 20 percent decline in the Rabi crop.
