Thali costs surge 9% as onion, LPG prices spike

Telangana logged the highest retail inflation in the country at 6.32% in July, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation said. The national average was 4.45%. The Hindu reports that in Hyderabad, restaurants have raised thali prices by 25% since January, with one franchisee citing an 85% jump in commercial LPG cylinder costs and a 17% rise in urad dal prices.

Crisil’s Roti Rice Report said the cost of a home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali rose 4% and 9% year-on-year respectively in July. Onion prices surged 20% on-year, while vegetable oil and LPG cylinder prices increased 11% and 10% on-year, partly due to the West Asia conflict. The rise was partly offset by declines in potato and tomato prices.

Crisil expects onion prices to remain firm in the near term because of tight rabi supplies and a delayed kharif harvest. The report noted that edible oil and packaging costs are likely to stay elevated, keeping upward pressure on thali costs.