Higher onion, edible oil, LPG prices push up home-cooked thali costs: Crisil
New Delhi, August 7
Higher onion, vegetable oil and LPG prices pushed up the cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali by 4 per cent year-on-year in July, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali rose 9 per cent as higher broiler prices added to the increase, according to Crisil Intelligence's monthly Roti Rice Rate report.
The report said elevated prices of onion, vegetable oil and cooking gas increased the cost of preparing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals at home, although lower potato and tomato prices helped partly offset the rise.
Onion prices increased 20 per cent from a year ago as higher-priced stored rabi stocks entered the market. The report said unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms in Maharashtra during March and April damaged the late-season crop and stored inventories, tightening supplies.
Vegetable oil and LPG cylinder prices rose 11 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, on-year, primarily due to supply disruptions and elevated energy prices arising from the ongoing West Asia conflict.
At the same time, potato prices declined 12 per cent on-year following a 2-3 per cent increase in rabi production supported by higher acreage, while tomato prices eased 2 per cent as delayed summer crop arrivals resulted in higher market supplies during July.
The report said the non-vegetarian thali became costlier mainly because broiler prices, which account for around half the meal's cost, rose an estimated 14 per cent year-on-year. Higher feed costs and a low base effect resulting from the shift of the Shravan month from July last year to August this year contributed to the increase.
On a month-on-month basis, the vegetarian thali cost increased 2 per cent, driven by a 23 per cent rise in onion prices and a 4 per cent increase in potato prices. However, a 1 per cent decline in tomato prices and stable prices of other commodities prevented a sharper increase.
The report said the cost of a non-vegetarian thali remained unchanged from June as an estimated 2 per cent decline in broiler prices amid moderating demand offset the impact of higher vegetable prices.
It indicated that movements in key food commodities and energy prices will continue to influence household cooking costs in the coming months.
— ANI
Reader Comments
When will our leaders understand that inflation is not just a number? It's the difference between a nutritious meal and just filling the stomach. Paying more for the same khana every single month is frustrating.
It's not just India; we are all feeling the pinch of food prices rising globally. The West Asia conflict is disrupting everything from oil to fertilizer. Sometimes we need to look beyond our local markets and see the global picture.Let's hope things stabilize soon.
My grandmother used to say, "Onion is the heart of Indian cooking," but at these prices, we're thinking twice before using it. The government needs to step in and control the hoarders and middlemen who create artificial scarcity.
It's fascinating how a home-cooked thali is such a barometer for the economy. The 9% increase for non-veg due to broiler prices is significant. It's a knock-on effect of higher feed costs. We need to invest in resilient supply chains.
Crisil's report is a mirror to reality. Onion at 20% up has made me switch to using more of other vegetables. Kabhi kabhi sochta hoon ki aisi inflation mein bhi hum kaise survive kar rahe hain. Sare dukhi hain, lekin kisi ki nahi suni jaati.
T We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.