Veg and Non-veg thali cost rise in May, after a steady decline since October: Crisil Report

The cost of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis has increased in May, after a steady decline since October 2022, shows a report by Crisil.

In its monthly report RRR: Roti, Rice, Rate, Crisil has observed that in May the average cost of a veg thali was Rs 25.1, while the cost of non veg thali stood at Rs 60.6. In April a veg thali in average costed Rs 25 and non veg costed Rs 58.3. However, on a year on year basis, the prices of both the thalis have dropped. In May 2022, the average cost of a veg thali was Rs 27.6 and non-veg thali costed Rs 63.

As per Crisil, the average cost of a thali is calculated based on input prices prevailing in north, south, east, and west India.

The cost of veg and non-veg thalis declined 9% and 4% respectively year-on-year in May. This due to steep decline in the prices of vegetables and cooking oil. Though these two items constitute 25% of the total cost of a veg thali, an increase in the prices of cereals, pulses capped the reduction.

The vegetable prices saw a decline of 35% and cooking oil prices declined 19% in May. However, an 8% year-on-year increase in wheat prices in May limited the decline in the Thali's total cost. The price of rice too jumped up 10% and pulses went up 4% year-on-year in May.

Similarly, broiler cost inched up 2% year-on-year, limiting the cost of non-veg thali. However, chicken prices are estimated to have risen 5% to 7% month-on-month and hence increasing the non-veg thali price by 4%.