In November, the cost of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals surged, attributed primarily to the escalating prices of onions and tomatoes, according to a report released by Crisil MI&A Research
The report highlighted a substantial increase in onion and tomato prices by 58% and 35% respectively on a month-on-month basis. This surge was triggered by heightened demand during the festive season coupled with reduced output during the Kharif season due to erratic rainfall patterns.
Reflecting these market dynamics, the cost of a representative home-cooked vegetarian thali rose by 10% month-on-month. Meanwhile, the non-vegetarian thali experienced a 5% increase during the same period. Notably, the increase in the non-vegetarian thali cost was slower due to a marginal decline of 1-3% in broiler prices, which contribute to 50% of its overall cost.
Comparatively, the cost of the vegetarian thali rose by 9% year-on-year. This rise was primarily driven by a staggering 93% increase in onion prices and a 15% increase in tomato prices. Additionally, the report indicated a 21% year-on-year increase in the prices of pulses, constituting 9% of the total vegetarian thali cost.
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The report's calculations for the average cost of preparing a thali were based on input prices prevailing across North, South, East, and West India. This data provides insights into the changing expenditure patterns of the common man. It also highlights the contributing factors—such as cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil, and cooking gas—that influence the fluctuations in thali costs.