Veggie thali costs more, non-veg thali now more affordable

In March, the cost of a homeInked vegetarian thali experienced a notable 7 percent increase, reaching Rs 27.3 compared to Rs 25.5 in the same month last year, as per a report by CRISIL released on Thursday.

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Conversely, the price of a "non-vegetarian" thali decreased by 7 percent to Rs 54.9 from Rs 59.2 in the corresponding period, indicating a significant divergence in pricing trends between vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. CRISIL's analysis attributes the rise in vegetarian thali prices to notable increases in the prices of key ingredients such as onion, tomato, and potato, which surged by 40 percent, 36 percent, and 22 percent respectively, on a year-on-year basis.

The average cost of preparing a home-cooked thali is determined based on input prices across North, South, East, and West India, offering a comprehensive overview of pricing trends across the country. The report highlights that the recent price hike in vegetarian thalis was primarily driven by supply constraints, particularly evident in low supplies of onions and potatoes, as well as a lower base from the previous fiscal year influencing tomato prices. Additionally, rice prices surged by 14 percent, while pulses witnessed a notable 22 percent increase, further contributing to the overall increase in thali costs.