The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing 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.
Cooling platter helping in October as potato, tomato and broiler prices drop
The cost of a representative, home-cooked vegetarian and nonvegetarian thali dipped 5% and 7% on-year, respectively, in October 2023, CRISIL MI&A Research estimates show
The dip was due to a significant 21% and 38% on-year decline in the prices of potato and tomato, respectively, in the month
The cost of non-veg thali declined faster as the price of broiler (~50% share in the thali cost) softened an estimated 5-7% on-year on a high base
The cost of fuel, which accounts for ~14% and ~8% of the total cost of the veg and non-veg thali, respectively, declined ~14% on-year as the price of a 14.2 kg LPG cylinder fell from Rs 1,053 to Rs 903
Further decline in thali prices was capped by a rise in onion prices in the second half of the month to Rs 40/kg on average from Rs 34/kg in the first half, trading 25% higher on-year in the second half owing to a lower kharif output estimated in 2023
Thali prices are expected to inch up in November if higher prices of onion - which accounts for ~10% of the total cost of a veg thali - persist
Price of pulses, accounting for 9% share in the total cost of a veg thali, increased 19% on-year. This too kept the thali cost from falling further
