Contrary to expectations, rising ingredient prices in July resulted in an 11% and 6% increase in the price of vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis, respectively (Crisil Report).
The prices of cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil, and cooking gas determined fluctuations in the cost of a thali, as per Crisil's monthly food plate cost indication. Tomato prices alone can be held partially responsible for the 11% increase in the cost of the vegetarian thali, as they have increased by 55% month-over-month from Rs 42 per kg in June to Rs 66 per kg in July.
Based on the available statistics, the primary cause of this was the impact of high temperatures on the summer crop in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, two important states. Furthermore, Karnataka's sporadic May rainfall increased whitefly infestations, which affected crop yield.
"Cost of the non-veg thali rose at a slower pace compared with the veg thali since the price of broiler, comprising more than 50 per cent of the total, is estimated to have remained stable," the report noted.
On the other hand, the price of onion and potato rose 20 per cent and 16 per cent month-on-month, respectively, further contributing to the higher cost of the veg thali, the Crisil report said.
