The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing in north, south, east and west India. The monthly change reflects the impact on the common man’s expenditure. The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil and cooking gas) driving the change in the cost of the thali.

Broiler on the loose

The cost of a home-cooked vegetarian (veg) thali rose 2% on-year in January, while that of non-vegetarian (non-veg) thali grew ~17%:

• Potato price surged 35% on a low base of last year to Rs 31/kg in January 2025 from Rs 23/kg in January 2024
• Price of pulses rose 7% on-year in January 2025 due to an estimated 7% on-year dip in production between July 2023-June 2024, resulting in lower opening stock
• Adding to the cost was a 17% on year jump in vegetable oil prices due to rise in import duties
• However, an 11% on-year drop in LPG fuel cost (to Rs 803 per 14.2kg LPG cylinder in Delhi from Rs903 last year) provided a partial offset
  
• The price rise of non-veg thali was driven by an estimated 33% on-year rise in broiler prices, accounting for ~50% of a nonveg thali cost. The surge in prices is due to low base of last year when prices dipped due to excess supply. High feed cost further contributed to the increase

On-month, the cost of a veg thali declined 9% in January 2025, while that of non-veg thali declined 4%:

• Tomato prices fell 34% on-month, driven by fresh rabi arrivals 
• A 16% and 21% on-month drop in potato and onion prices, respectively, further supported the cost decline
• Cost of non-veg thali dipped at a slower pace owing to an estimated 1% rise in broiler prices on-month