Synopsis: A Crisil report reveals a 10% year-on-year increase in the cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali, driven by significant price surges in tomatoes (30%), onions (46%), and potatoes (59%). The monsoon rains have disrupted supply chains, causing tomato prices in Delhi to spike to Rs. 90 per kg from Rs. 28 per kg just days earlier.
According to a report by Crisil, the cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali has increased by 10% year-on-year due to a surge in prices of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes by 30%, 46%, and 59% respectively.
Tomato prices in Delhi have spiked to Rs. 90 per kg due to supply disruptions caused by monsoon rains.
In major wholesale markets like Azadpur, Ghazipur, and Okhla, the rates have surged significantly.
Just a few days ago, tomatoes were priced at Rs. 28 per kg, but they are now being sold for Rs. 90 per kg online and in local markets.
In wholesale markets, prices have risen to as much as Rs. 50 per kg.
The heavy rains have led to a decrease in the number of trucks transporting tomatoes from Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Himachal, affecting supply over the past week.
Vendors in Ghazipur mandi reported that tomato prices have soared from Rs. 30-35 per kg to Rs. 60-70 per kg.
Similarly, in Okhla mandi, prices have increased due to crop damage caused by the rains.
Tomatoes' short shelf life exacerbates the situation as they rot quickly, further impacting supply.
Crisil's monthly food price report highlights that the rise in thali prices is also due to a low base from the previous fiscal year.
Lower onion arrivals due to a significant drop in rabi acreage, a decline in potato crop yield from unseasonal March rainfall, and a virus infestation in the tomato summer crop in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which reduced tomato arrivals by 35% year-on-year, are major contributing factors.
In conclusion, the monsoon rains have significantly impacted the supply chain, causing tomato prices in Delhi to soar to unprecedented levels.
This has had a cascading effect on the overall cost of home-cooked meals, as evidenced by a 10% year-on-year increase in the price of a vegetarian thali.
The combined effects of weather-related disruptions, including crop damage and transportation challenges, have strained the supply of essential vegetables, leading to substantial price hikes.
As weather patterns continue to affect agricultural yields and supply chains, consumers are likely to face ongoing fluctuations in food prices.
