Home-Cooked Thali Cost Drops 4% In April As Vegetable And Broiler Prices Ease: CRISIL

The average cost of preparing a home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali in India fell by 4 per cent year-on-year in April, according to CRISIL’s latest Roti Rice Rate (CRR) report. The decline was primarily driven by a sharp reduction in the prices of key vegetables and broiler chicken, easing pressure on household food budgets.

Vegetarian thali costs saw a significant easing thanks to substantial drops in tomato, potato, and onion prices. Tomato prices plummeted by 34 per cent to Rs 21 per kg in April 2025, compared to Rs 32 per kg during the same month last year. Potato prices also fell by 11 per cent year-on-year, reflecting a favorable comparison against last year's high base, when the crop suffered from blight infestation and erratic rainfall, particularly in West Bengal. Onion prices dropped 6 per cent year-on-year, also due to a high base effect.

In the case of non-vegetarian thalis, the cost reduction was largely attributed to a 4 per cent year-on-year fall in broiler chicken prices, which account for nearly half of a non-veg thali's cost. The dip in chicken prices was linked to oversupply and weaker consumer demand, especially in states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, where bird flu concerns dampened consumption.

Rise In Vegetable Oil Price

However, the overall decline in thali prices was moderated by rising input costs in other areas. “A 19 per cent on-year jump in vegetable oil prices due to a rise in import duty and a 6 per cent on-year rise in LPG cylinder prices curtailed a further decline in the cost of both thalis,” said Pushan Sharma, Director – Research at CRISIL Market Intelligence & Analytics.

On a month-on-month basis, the cost of a vegetarian thali fell by 1 per cent, while non-vegetarian thalis became 2 per cent cheaper. This was helped by a 14 per cent drop in onion prices and a 2 per cent fall in potato prices, although tomato prices edged up slightly by 1 per cent. Broiler prices also declined by 2 per cent month-on-month.

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Global Supply Chain

Looking ahead, CRISIL expects prices of wheat and pulses to ease further due to strong domestic production. Edible oil prices are also forecast to soften in the coming months, buoyed by improved global supply from major producers such as Argentina, Indonesia, and Malaysia. However, rice prices may see a gradual increase, driven by higher export demand.

Vegetable trends are likely to remain mixed. While onion prices are expected to remain steady, tomato prices may climb due to seasonal factors, the report noted. The CRR report bases its estimates on average food prices across India’s four regions, north, south, east, and west, providing a holistic view of the cost of home-cooked meals.

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