The average cost of a thali 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, broiler, vegetables, spices, edible oil, cooking gas) driving changes in the cost of a thali.

Mildly costlier

• The cost of veg and non-veg thali alike, on the decline since October 2022, nosed up on a sequential basis in May 2023
  • The cost of veg and non-veg thalis declined 9% and 4% on-year, respectively, in May due to steep decline in prices of vegetables and cooking oil, which account for ~25% of the total cost of a veg thali, but increase in prices of cereals, pulses, chicken, and eggs capped the reduction
  • The decline in thali cost was supported by an on-year decline of ~35% in vegetable prices and 19% in cooking oil prices in May
  • High prices of wheat, which spurted 8% on-year in May, has limited the decline in thali cost
  • Prices of rice and pulses inched up 10% and 4% onyear, respectively, in May 2023, preventing further decline in the cost of a veg thali
  • Broiler prices are estimated to have risen by up to 2% on-year, limiting the decline in non-veg thali cost to a slower 4% onyear in the month
    • However, month-on-month, chicken prices are estimated to have risen 5-7%, leading to ~4% increase in non-veg thali cost