Cost of thali holds clues to food prices -

NEW DELHI: How much do you pay for your thali? How do commodity prices affect the food on your plate?
Prices of veg and non-veg thali fell by 9% and 4% year-on-year, respectively, in May due to sharp declines in vegetable and cooking oil prices, which account for 25% of total veg thali costs. , according to an analysis of Roti Rice rates conducted by ratings agency Crisil. However, increases in the prices of cereals, legumes, chicken and eggs limited the decline, he added.
Vegetable prices fell 35% in May 2023 compared to the same period last year and cooking oil prices moderated 19% during the month.

The average cost of a thali is calculated based on the prevailing input prices in north, south, east and west of India. The monthly changes reflect the impact on the average person’s spending. The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, legumes, broiler, vegetables, spices, cooking oil, cooking gas) that drive changes in thali prices.
“On a sequential basis, thali prices have fallen since October 2022. Non-veg thali prices fell from Rs 62.7 in October to Rs 58.3 in April and vegetarian thali from Rs 29 to Rs 25,” according to Pushan Sharma, director, research, Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics. He attributed the drop in thali prices to the easing of some commodity prices.
But the cost of both veg and non-veg thali both edged up sequentially in May 2023, analysis shows.
The report indicated that high wheat prices, which jumped 8% year-on-year in May, had limited thali costs from falling. Prices of rice and beans edged up 10% and 4% YoY in May 2023, respectively.
Broiler prices are expected to rise by up to 2% YoY, capping the decline in non-veg thali costs to a slower 4% YoY in the month, according to the analysis. However, month over month, chicken prices are expected to increase by 5-7%, causing a 4% increase in the cost of non-veg thali.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das in his monetary policy review speech in April said that looking ahead, expectations are a record rabbi the harvest bodes well to ease food price pressures.
“There is already evidence of a correction in wheat prices in March due to supply side intervention by the government. However, the impact of the recent seasonal rains on some parts of the country, needs to be watched. World commodity prices have moderated significantly from their highs a year ago. As our survey shows, the cost conditions are somewhat reduced, ”he said.
Asked about the impact of the El-Nino weather phenomenon on food prices in the next few months, Sharma said it would depend on the distribution of food. Season rains across the country but added that the food price situation is likely to remain stable.

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