The cost of preparing a vegetarian thali at home fell by 1 per cent in February 2025, primarily due to a significant drop in tomato prices and lower LPG costs. According to Crisil’s Roti Rice and Plate report, tomato prices witnessed a sharp 28 per cent decline, falling from Rs 32 per kilogram in January to Rs 23 per kilogram in February. Additionally, LPG prices saw an 11 per cent reduction, with the cost of a 14.2 kg cylinder decreasing from Rs 903 to Rs 803.

Despite these reductions, the overall drop in vegetarian thali prices was moderated by the rising costs of other essential ingredients. Onion prices increased by 11 per cent, while potatoes and vegetable oils saw a price rise of 16 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. These factors partly offset the benefit of lower tomato and LPG prices, keeping the overall decline in the vegetarian thali cost limited.

Non-Vegetarian Thali Costs Climb by 6 per cent

In contrast, the cost of preparing a non-vegetarian thali at home surged by approximately 6 per cent in February. This increase was mainly driven by a 15 per cent rise in broiler chicken prices. The report attributed this hike to a low base effect from last year, when excess supply had kept poultry prices lower. Additionally, the price of maize, a crucial component of poultry feed, rose by 6 per cent, further pushing up the cost of broiler chicken and, consequently, non-vegetarian thalis.

Monthly Decline Due to Lower Demand

While the year-on-year trend showed contrasting movements for vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali costs, both categories experienced a month-on-month decline of approximately 5 per cent in February 2025. This was largely due to a reduction in the prices of key ingredients such as onions, potatoes, and tomatoes.

The decline in non-vegetarian thali prices was also influenced by a temporary dip in broiler chicken prices. This drop was attributed to reduced demand following a bird flu scare in southern India, which led to cautious consumer behavior and lower poultry consumption.

Overall Trend & Market Dynamics

The report highlights that while the cost of a vegetarian thali fell slightly on a year-on-year basis, non-vegetarian thali prices saw a notable uptick, mainly due to higher poultry costs. The fluctuation in ingredient prices underscores the impact of agricultural cycles, seasonal variations, and market demand-supply dynamics on household food expenses.

Consumers are expected to remain watchful of price trends in the coming months, particularly for perishable commodities like vegetables and poultry, which are sensitive to weather conditions, disease outbreaks, and feed costs. While February brought some relief to vegetarians, non-vegetarian consumers had to bear a higher burden on their food budget.