Has the Cost of Home-Cooked Veg and Non-Veg Thalis Really Fallen by 13% in November?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Thali costs dropped by 13% in November.
- Vegetable prices, especially tomatoes and onions, significantly decreased.
- Future price stability is uncertain due to policy changes.
- Households may benefit from lower thali preparation costs.
- Import duties on pulses will affect future pricing.
New Delhi, Dec 8 (NationPress) The expense associated with creating both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis at home has experienced a 13 percent decline year-on-year in November, primarily due to falling prices of vegetables and pulses, according to a report released on Monday.
The report from Crisil Intelligence indicates that prices of tomatoes dropped by 17 percent compared to last year due to increased supply, while potato prices fell by 29 percent owing to a high base.
Furthermore, onion prices saw a significant decrease of 53 percent as a result of larger rabi stocks from previous seasons and reduced exports.
The cost of pulses also fell by 17 percent, attributed to higher stocks and substantial imports of Bengal gram, yellow pea, and black gram, the report noted.
In a monthly comparison, however, the price of a vegetarian thali rose by 2 percent, whereas the cost of a non-vegetarian thali saw a slight decline of 1 percent in November, the report stated.
According to Pushan Sharma, Director at Crisil Intelligence, "In the medium term, onion prices are likely to stabilize due to delayed kharif harvesting and reduced yields. Conversely, potato prices may continue to decrease as cold-storage stocks are released into the market."
The analysis predicts that pulse prices will remain stable in the near future due to a 30 percent import duty on yellow pea. Additionally, unrestricted imports of black gram are expected to prevent significant price hikes, Sharma mentioned.
Any further policy changes, such as extending or raising import duties, could lead to increased pressure on pulse prices, he added.
Moreover, the price of vegetable oils surged by 6 percent year-on-year due to heightened demand during the festival season. Additionally, a 6 percent increase in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders has limited the overall decline in thali costs.
The cost of a non-vegetarian thali decreased as a result of a 12 percent drop in broiler prices, which constitute 50 percent of the total cost.
The average expense for preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices from different regions: North, South, East, and West India. The monthly changes reflect the impact on the typical consumer's budget, the report concluded.