The humble vegetarian thali, a staple for millions across India, has emerged as a villain in the life of the financially stressed, with its price going up by 7% in March. The culprits behind this gastronomic inflation? None other than the trio of onion, tomato, and potato, whose prices have soared to new heights, leaving consumers teary-eyed and their wallets lighter.

According to the “Roti Rice Rate” report released by Crisil Market Intelligence and Analysis, an arm of the domestic rating agency Crisil, the cost of a vegetable thali – a delightful ensemble of roti, vegetables (onions, tomatoes, and potatoes), rice, dal, curd, and salad – has risen to Rs 27.3 per plate in March from Rs 25.5 in the year-ago period. However, there’s a silver lining: it’s still cheaper than the Rs 27.4 charged in February 2024.

The report reveals that the vegetable thali’s price hike is attributed to a staggering surge in onion (40 per cent), tomato (36 per cent), and potato (22 per cent) prices compared to the previous year. The culprit behind this? Lower arrivals of onion and potato, coupled with a low base for tomatoes from the last fiscal year.