September Sees Sharp Rise in Vegetarian Thali Prices Amid Vegetable Cost Hikes

In September 2023, the price of a home-cooked vegetarian thali increased by 11% compared to the same time last year, according to a report from Crisil Ltd. However, the price remained steady compared to August.

Price Comparison

• Vegetarian Thali: Rs.31.30 (no change from August)
• Non-Vegetarian Thali: Rs.59.30 (also unchanged from August)

A vegetarian thali includes staples like roti, vegetables (onion, tomato, potato), rice, dal, curd, and salad, while the non-vegetarian version includes broiler chicken instead of dal.

Reasons for Price Increase

The rise in the cost of vegetarian meals is mainly due to higher prices for key vegetables:

• Onions: Up 53%
• Potatoes: Up 50%
• Tomatoes: Up 18%

These price hikes are linked to lower vegetable arrivals and bad weather affecting production in regions like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Monthly Trends

Although some vegetable prices have risen, there were small decreases in others:

• Potato prices fell by 2% from August.
• Tomato prices dropped by 9% due to better supply from southern and western markets.

Additionally, a decrease in fuel costs, with the price of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder falling from Rs.903 to Rs.803, helped keep thali prices stable for the month.

Pulses and Non-Vegetarian Costs

Pulses, making up 9% of the vegetarian thali, saw a 14% price increase due to lower production. Meanwhile, the cost of broiler chicken, which is 50% of the non-vegetarian thali, dropped by 13%, providing some relief for meat-based meals.

Inflation Insights

India's retail inflation rose to 3.65% in August, up from a low of 3.54%. Food inflation, which accounts for half of the consumer price index, increased to 5.66%. Although this inflation is still within the Reserve Bank of India's acceptable range, it remains above the 4% target.

The ongoing changes in food prices highlight the impact of inflation on household spending. The average cost of meals at home reflects the prices of ingredients across the country, indicating how food inflation affects daily budgets.