Veg Thali prices surge 10% in June, 4% drop in Chicken Thali cost

The cost of a vegetarian thali surged by 10% in June, driven by increased prices of onions, potatoes, and tomatoes, according to Crisil Market Intelligence and Analysis' monthly ‘Roti Rice Rate’ report released on Friday. In contrast, the price of a non-veg thali dropped by 4%, driven by a decrease in broiler prices. The report attributes the increase in veg thali prices to a 30% rise in tomato prices, a 46% surge in onion prices, and a 59% increase in potato prices. It explains that the decrease in non-vegetarian thali prices is due to a 14% year-on-year decline in broiler prices resulting from oversupply and reduced feed costs.

The price of a vegetarian thali, which includes roti, vegetables (onions, tomatoes, and potatoes), rice, dal, curd, and salad, rose to ₹29.4 per plate in June, up from ₹26.7 a year earlier, and higher than ₹27.8 in May 2024. On the other hand, the cost of non-vegetarian thali, which includes the same elements as the veg-thali only replacing dal with chicken, dropped to ₹58 in June from ₹60.5 a year earlier, though it was higher than the ₹55.9 in May.

The report explained that onion prices soared due to reduced arrivals following a significant drop in rabi acreage, while potato yields were affected by unseasonal rainfall in March. Tomato prices escalated because high temperatures in key growing regions like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh caused a virus infestation, reducing tomato arrivals by 35% year-on-year (YoY).

Additionally, rice prices increased by 13% due to lower acreage and subdued arrivals, while pulse prices rose by 22% due to a dry spell during key kharif months impacting production of pulses which accounted for 9% of the veg thali cost.

The report highlighted that the overall increase in meal prices compared to the previous month was largely driven by the surge in vegetable prices.

The report explained that although the cost of the non-veg thali also increased due to higher vegetable prices, a modest 1% month-on-month rise in broiler prices, which make up approximately 50% of the non-veg thali cost, helped prevent a more significant price hike.

"The cost of the veg thali rose on-month mainly due to a rise in vegetable prices, with prices of potato, onion and tomato rising 9%, 15% and 29%, respectively, due to lower arrivals,” it adds.