Cheaper tomatoes, LPG lower veg thali cost; non-veg thali price up 6%: Crisil

The cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali declined by 1 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in February, while the price of a non-vegetarian thali surged by 6 per cent, according to a report by Crisil.

The decline in vegetarian thali prices was attributed to lower tomato and LPG costs, whereas the increase in non-vegetarian thali prices was driven by a rise in broiler chicken rates.

Tomato, LPG prices fall

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Tomato prices dropped 28 per cent YoY to Rs 23 per kg in February from Rs 32 per kg a year ago, supported by a 20 per cent rise in market arrivals. Additionally, LPG prices fell 11 per cent YoY, with the cost of a 14.2 kg cylinder in Delhi declining to Rs 803 from Rs 903 last year.

However, the overall decline in the vegetarian thali price was capped by rising costs of onions (up 11 per cent), potatoes (up 16 per cent), and vegetable oil (up 18 per cent).

Broiler chicken drives up non-veg thali cost

In contrast, the non-vegetarian thali became costlier due to a 15 per cent YoY increase in broiler chicken prices, which constitute around 50 per cent of the total thali cost. Higher maize prices, a key poultry feed ingredient, also contributed to the increase.

On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali prices dropped 5 per cent in February, aided by fresh arrivals of onions, potatoes, and tomatoes. The price of broiler chicken also fell by 5 per cent due to weakening demand amid bird flu concerns in southern India.

Food prices remain a crucial component of household budgets, and any changes in supply conditions could further impact meal costs in the coming months.