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The decline in the cost of a vegetarian thali was led by a sharp fall in the prices of vegetables and pulses
Crisil has released a report on monthly indicator of food plate cost. The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing in north, south, east and west India. The monthly change reflects the impact on the common man’s expenditure. The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil and cooking gas) driving the change in the cost of the thali.
In November, the cost of home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis declined 13 per cent each on-year amid benign commodity prices.
The decline in the cost of a vegetarian thali was led by a sharp fall in the prices of vegetables and pulses. Prices of tomato declined 17 per cent on-year on the back of higher supplies, while potato prices fell 29 per cent on-year on a high base. Onion prices declined 53 per cent on-year due to the availability of higher stock from the previous rabi season, coupled with subdued exports. Prices of pulses declined 17 per cent because of increased stocks in the current fiscal led by high imports of Bengal gram (imports rose by nine times on-year in fiscal 2025), yellow pea (85 per cent rise) and black gram (31 per cent rise), which are allowed until March 2026, putting downward pressure on prices.
Vegetable oil prices surged 6 per cent on-year due to higher demand during the festival season. Additionally, a 6 per cent on-year increase in prices of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders limited the decline in the overall cost of thalis
The cost of a non-vegetarian thali fell due to a 12 per cent on-year drop in broiler prices, which account for ~50 per cent of the cost. Lower prices of vegetables and pulses also contributed to the decline.
On-month, however, the cost of a vegetarian thali rose 2 per cent, while that of a non-vegetarian thali dipped 1 per cent in November
Potato and tomato prices rose 5 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, leading to a rise in the overall cost of thalis, while the prices of other major commodities remained largely stable.
The cost of a non-vegetarian thali declined on account of an estimated 5% on-month fall in broiler prices amid oversupply in the market.