Indian Thali Costs Dip! Homemade Meals Became Cheaper In May, Despite Rise In Oil, LPG Prices

Tomatoes, a key component in most Indian meals, saw a sharp price correction, falling by 29 per cent to Rs 23 per kg in May 2025, down from Rs 33 per kg a year earlier.

The prices of other staple vegetables such as onions and potatoes also witnessed a year-on-year dip of 15 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively.

Source : Freepik

The cost of preparing a traditional Indian thali at home, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, declined by 6 per cent year-on-year in May 2025, according to a recent report released by CRISIL.

The easing prices of essential vegetables were primarily behind the drop, with the trend also reflecting a high base effect from the previous year, reported ANI.

Tomatoes, a key component in most Indian meals, saw a sharp price correction, falling by 29 per cent to Rs 23 per kg in May 2025, down from Rs 33 per kg a year earlier. CRISIL attributed this to easing concerns over crop yield, which had pushed prices higher in the same month last year.

The prices of other staple vegetables such as onions and potatoes also witnessed a year-on-year dip of 15 per cent and 16 per cent, respectively. The report pointed out that last year's potato prices had spiked due to extensive crop damage caused by blight and unexpected rainfall in West Bengal. Onion prices had surged previously due to reduced rabi crop acreage and lower yields, with states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka suffering from inadequate water supply during the growing season.

Non-Veg Thali Cost Dips Amid Broiler Price Fall

For non-vegetarian thalis, a similar 6 per cent year-on-year cost reduction was observed in May, aided by a 6 per cent drop in broiler chicken prices. According to CRISIL, “The decline in prices of broiler -- which makes up about 50 per cent of the non-vegetarian thali cost -- was due to oversupply and lower demand amid bird flu reported in parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka.”

However, not all components saw a decline. Vegetable oil prices jumped 19 per cent compared to the same period last year, driven by higher import duties. Similarly, the cost of an LPG cylinder increased by 6 per cent year-on-year. These price hikes kept the thali costs from falling further, the report said.

Monthly Trends: Mixed Movements in Food Prices

Looking at month-on-month changes, CRISIL observed that while the cost of a vegetarian thali remained flat in May compared to April, non-vegetarian thalis became cheaper by 2 per cent. This was supported by a further 4 per cent drop in broiler chicken prices during the month.

Among vegetables, onion prices decreased 10 per cent month-on-month, but potatoes and tomatoes became costlier by 3 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively. These opposing price movements balanced each other out, leaving the vegetarian thali cost largely unchanged on a monthly basis.