Everyday Meals Cost More as Key Ingredients Become Pricier

What Happened

The cost of preparing meals at home increased in July, with vegetarian thalis becoming 4% costlier and non-vegetarian thalis rising 9% year-on-year, according to a Crisil report. Rising onion, cooking gas, and chicken prices pushed up the cost of home-cooked meals in July, adding pressure on household budgets. While cheaper potatoes and tomatoes offered some relief, they were not enough to offset the higher food and fuel costs. The report also attributed the increase in vegetable oil and LPG prices to supply disruptions and elevated energy prices linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia