The cost of vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis rose 28% and 11% on-month, respectively, in July, according to Crisil’s roti, rice rate — the monthly indicator of food plate cost.
“Of the 28% rise in the cost of a vegetarian thali, 22% can be attributed solely to the price of tomato, which rose 233% on-month to Rs 110/kg in July from Rs 33/kg in June,” according to the report.
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Tomatoes and ginger, two significant ingredients that add zing to street food like bhel puri and pav bhaji and accompaniments with drinks also known as chakhna, have made a disappearing act thanks to a surge in prices.
Rajma-rice, chole-chappati, potato curry, soyabean curry and chicken curry. Undri resident Atulya Kasbekar recounted the meals that he and his wife have had this past week.
Amidst rhetoric of tomatoes getting costlier than fuel, households and restaurants seem to be among the worst affected with piling inflationary pressures. Estimates by restaurateurs indicate that the vegetable and spice procurement costs went up by at least 50% across restaurants in July, thanks to
The prices of onion and potato increased 16% and 9%, respectively, on-month, adding to the increase in cost.
Surging tomato prices have become a major policy headache, prompting the government to unveil a raft of measures to calm the runaway costs.
Food inflation is also emerging as an obstacle due to a raft of reasons, including tight supplies and weather-related issues.
According to an analysis by Emkay Global,a financial services firm, the average prices for cereals (3.5%), pulses (7.7%) and vegetables (95.1%) and milk (10.4%) were higher on an annual basis while those for oils and fats (-17%) were lower.
“The ongoing spike in tomato prices is not expected to moderate before the end of August at the earliest, while other vegetable prices have also risen in the last couple of weeks,” said Madhavi Arora, economist at Emkay Global.
According to the Crisil analysis, the cost of a non-vegetarian thali rose at a slower pace as the price of broilers, comprising more than 50% of the cost, likely declined 3-5% on-month in July.
Chili and cumin also became more expensive, their prices rising 69% and 16% on-month, respectively, in July. However, given the lower quantities of these ingredients used in a thali, their cost contribution remains lower than some of the vegetable crops, according to the report.
It said a 2% on-month decline in the price of vegetable oil provided some respite from the increase in cost of both thalis.
According to the report, the average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices in north, south, east and west India. Monthly change reflects the impact on the common man’s expenditure. The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil, cooking gas) driving changes in the cost of a thali, according to Crisil.
The agency said a veg thali comprises roti, vegetables (onion, tomato and potato), rice, dal, curd, and salad. For a non-vegetarian thali, chicken is included instead of dal. Broiler prices for July 2023 are estimated.