Monsoon Relief In India: Prices of Veg and Non-Veg Thalis Drop — Know the New Rates
Monsoon Relief In India: Prices of Veg and Non-Veg Thalis Drop — Know the New Rates
With the monsoon arriving earlier than expected this year, it has brought more than just relief from the summer heat — households are now feeling some financial relief too. The boost in agricultural output, thanks to improved weather conditions, has led to a noticeable drop in the prices of essential food items. This decline has directly impacted the cost of home-cooked meals, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis becoming cheaper in May 2025.
As per the latest “Roti Rice Rate” report published by CRISIL, the average cost of a vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali fell by around 6% year-on-year in May. While the veg thali price remained steady month-on-month, the non-veg thali became about 2% cheaper, primarily due to a drop in chicken prices. The analysis reflects the average cost of preparing a thali at home using commonly used ingredients, taking into account regional price trends across North, South, East, and West India.
One of the most significant contributors to the price drop has been the sharp fall in vegetable prices. Tomatoes, a staple in Indian cooking, witnessed a 29% price cut, dropping to ₹23 per kg from ₹33 in the same month last year. In 2024, tomato prices had spiked over fears of poor yields, but a better crop this year helped bring prices down. Onions and potatoes followed suit, with prices falling 15% and 16% respectively. This is in contrast to last year when unseasonal rains in West Bengal damaged the potato crop, and water shortages in states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka hampered onion production.
CRISIL’s Director of Research, Pushan Sharma, explained that despite minor increases in tomato and potato prices compared to April, the decline in onion prices helped keep the cost of the vegetarian thali stable. On the other hand, the non-vegetarian thali saw a drop, thanks to a fall in broiler (chicken) prices, which make up around half the cost of a non-veg thali. Chicken prices declined by approximately 4–6%, largely due to oversupply and dwindling demand. Reports of bird flu in parts of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka led to consumers cutting down on chicken consumption, leading to this price correction.
However, not everything on the plate got cheaper. The report also highlighted that vegetable oil prices jumped by 19%, mainly driven by a hike in import duties. Additionally, the price of LPG cylinders rose by 6%, which restricted how much the overall thali costs could drop. These input costs play a significant role in determining the final meal price at home.
Looking ahead, Sharma noted that while vegetable prices might increase in the coming months due to seasonal changes, there’s optimism for grains and pulses, which could become slightly cheaper owing to a strong harvest this year. On the flip side, rice prices are likely to edge higher, as rising global demand may result in a 20–25% surge in exports, putting pressure on domestic availability.
To break it down, a typical vegetarian thali includes roti, rice, dal, curd, salad, and vegetables like onion, potato, and tomato. A non-vegetarian thali replaces dal with chicken, keeping the rest of the items intact. It’s worth noting that the quantity served in each thali doesn’t change with price fluctuations — what changes is the cost of the ingredients.
