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.

Poultry relief

On-month basis, the cost of representative home-cooked veg and non-veg thalis fell 3% and 5%, respectively, in December, as per CRISIL MI&A Research estimates:

• The easing was due to a 14% and 3% on-month decrease in prices of onion and tomato, respectively, with the festive season coming to an end
  
• The cost of the non-veg thali declined faster due to a 5-7% on-month decline in the price of broilers, which account for ~50% of the cost 

On-year basis, however, the cost of the veg thali rose 12%, while that of the non-veg thali declined 4%:

• The rise in veg thali cost was led by substantial increase of 82% and 42% in prices of onion and tomato, respectively. Prices of pulses, which account for ~9% of the veg thali cost, also increased 24% on-year
  
• The decline in the cost of the non-veg thali was due to ~15% decline in broiler prices on-year amid higher production Market Intelligence & Analytics Research