Kamal Ghorui
The cost of a home-cooked non-vegetarian thali fell 1 per cent year-on-year in March 2026, while the price of a vegetarian thali remained unchanged, as lower prices of onions, potatoes and pulses helped offset higher costs of tomatoes, vegetable oil and fuel, according to a Crisil Intelligence report.In its latest Roti Rice Rate report, Crisil Intelligence said the average cost of preparing these meals was calculated using input prices from North, South, East and West India. The monthly indicator tracks how changes in food prices affect household budgets, particularly for common meals.“Cost of non-vegetarian thali fell 1% on-year in March, while that of vegetarian thali remained stable, as lower prices of potatoes, onions and pulses offset higher costs of tomatoes, vegetable oil and fuel,” the report said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Tomato spike keeps vegetarian thali from getting cheaper
The vegetarian thali stayed flat largely because of a sharp rise in tomato prices. Tomato prices climbed 33 per cent year-on-year to Rs 28 per kg in March 2026, compared with Rs 21 per kg in March 2025.The report said the increase was caused by delayed transplantation in major producing states such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which affected crop growth, yields and the timing of arrivals in markets.Meanwhile, onion prices fell 25 per cent on-year. “Onion prices fell 25% on-year due to excess supply from overlapping late kharif arrivals and rabi harvest, coupled with weak exports, leading to distress sales given the limited shelf life of late kharif onions,” the report noted.Potato prices also dropped 13 per cent year-on-year, helped by weak demand from the hotel, restaurant and catering sector and broader stock liquidation.
Broiler prices pull down non-veg thali cost
The fall in the non-vegetarian thali was mainly driven by softer chicken prices. Broiler prices declined an estimated 2 per cent year-on-year, which had a meaningful impact as broilers account for around half the cost of a non-veg thali.“The cost of a non-veg thali fell due to an estimated 2% on-year decline in broiler prices, which accounted for ~50% of the cost, on a high base,” the report said.
Monthly thali costs also decline
On a month-on-month basis, the cost of vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis fell 3 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively.The report showed tomato and potato prices each slipped 6 per cent month-on-month, while onion prices fell 14 per cent. Pulse prices also eased 6 per cent due to higher opening stocks.“Tur inventories for the July-June marketing year are estimated to be 20% higher, while Bengal gram stocks for the January-December marketing year are ~10% higher this season, exerting downward pressure on prices,” the report said.However, global supply disruptions pushed vegetable oil prices up 6 per cent, while LPG cylinder prices rose 14 per cent, limiting the overall relief for households.
