The average cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali in India rose 4 per cent month-on-month to ₹28.1 in July, from ₹27.1 in June, according to Crisil's Roti Rice Rate report. The increase was driven by higher prices of tomato, onion and potato, which pushed up the cost of a veg thali during the monsoon season. In contrast, the non-vegetarian thali cost fell 2 per cent to ₹53.5 from ₹54.8, helped by a sharp decline in broiler chicken prices. On an annual basis, both thalis remained substantially cheaper, with the veg thali down 14 per cent and the non-veg thali roughly 13 per cent lower year-on-year.
Monsoon arrival squeeze lifts tomato prices
Crisil's Roti Rice Rate report identified tomato as the primary driver of the monthly increase in the vegetarian thali. Tomato prices surged 31 per cent in July after market arrivals declined 27 per cent, highlighting seasonal supply constraints that often emerge during the monsoon, the report stated. The kitchen staple was priced at ₹42 per kg in July, down 36 per cent from ₹66 per kg in July last year. Adding to the pressure, potato prices increased 2 per cent month-on-month, while onion prices rose 5 per cent. The index measures the average cost of preparing a thali at home based on input prices prevailing across north, south, east and west India.
Annual inflation eases across staples
On a year-on-year basis, the July data point to a broad-based moderation in food prices from the elevated levels seen a year ago. Tomato prices fell 36 per cent year-on-year, potato prices declined 30 per cent, and onion prices were 36 per cent lower, aided by improved production and a favourable base effect. Crisil noted that last year potato prices had risen sharply because of crop losses caused by blight infestations and adverse weather, while higher onion production this year boosted supplies and eased prices. Pulses prices dropped 14 per cent year-on-year due to better output and comfortable stock levels, while rice prices fell 4 per cent, offering some relief to consumers.
| Commodity | Month-on-month | Year-on-year |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | +31% | -36% |
| Potato | +2% | -30% |
| Onion | +5% | -36% |
| Pulses | n/a | -14% |
| Rice | n/a | -4% |
| Vegetable oil | n/a | +20% |
| LPG cylinder | n/a | +6% |
| Broiler chicken | -9% | -12% |
Vegetable oil and LPG offset some relief
Not all items became cheaper. Vegetable oil prices rose 20 per cent year-on-year, while LPG cylinder prices increased 6 per cent, according to Crisil, preventing a steeper decline in thali costs despite softer vegetable prices.
Broiler chicken pulls non-veg thali lower
The cost of a non-vegetarian thali fell 2 per cent month-on-month to ₹53.5 in July from ₹54.8 in June. Broiler chicken, which accounts for nearly half the cost of a non-vegetarian thali, declined an estimated 12 per cent year-on-year and 9 per cent month-on-month. Crisil attributed the fall to weaker demand during the monsoon and the Shravan period, when many consumers traditionally avoid meat consumption. On an annual basis, the non-vegetarian thali was around 13 per cent cheaper than in July last year.
Crisil's Roti Rice Rate report, published August 9, 2026, tracks the cost of home-cooked thalis across north, south, east and west India. The July data show the vegetarian thali at ₹28.1 and the non-vegetarian thali at ₹53.5. The report's findings underscore divergent trends in Indian staple markets: monsoon-season supply constraints are squeezing tomato arrivals, while annual declines in potato, onion, pulses and rice prices are keeping inflation in check for a broader basket.
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