Lower vegetable prices and fall in price of pulses as inflation eases to multi-month lows may be finally making an impact on your monthly budget. According to Crisil Intelligence’s latest report, the average cost of a vegetarian thali fell 10 per cent and that of a non-vegetarian thali declined around 6 per cent year-on-year in September,
In September 2025, the average cost stood at Rs 26.30 for a vegetarian thali and Rs 52.60 for a non-vegetarian thali, compared with Rs 29.10 for vegetarian thali and Rs 56 for non-vegetarian thali respectively, a year ago.
“The decline in the cost of the vegetarian thali was led by a sharp drop in prices of vegetables and pulses,” the report said. The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices across north, south, east and west India.
Onion prices plunge 46%, potato down 31%
Potato prices dropped 31% YoY as cold storage units released their stocks in large quantities. Tomato prices fell 8% YoY on higher supplies, while onion prices plunged 46% YoY because of strong Rabi arrivals and increased availability. The report added that bearish import momentum from Bangladesh, which accounts for about 40 per cent of India’s onion export basket, also helped cool onion prices.
Pulses cheaper, oil and LPG limit the fall
Prices of pulses declined 16% YoY, helped by increased imports of Bengal gram, yellow pea and black gram, which the government has allowed till March 2026. However, the fall in overall thali cost was partially offset by a 21% rise in vegetable oil prices and a 6% increase in LPG cylinder prices, driven by festive demand.
Non-veg thali sees slower fall
The decline in the non-vegetarian thali cost was relatively slower as broiler chicken prices, which account for half the thali cost, dropped only about 1 per cent year-on-year. Lower vegetable and pulse prices still supported the overall decline.
Monthly trends: Veg thali cheaper, non-veg costlier
On a monthly basis, the cost of a vegetarian thali fell 3% in September, while the non-vegetarian thali rose 3% from August levels. The report attributed the rise in non-veg thali cost to a 10% jump in broiler prices because of supply constraints and lower production.
Meanwhile, tomato prices dipped 21% month-on-month to Rs 42 per kg from Rs 53 per kg due to higher arrivals from western and southern markets. Potato and onion prices also declined modestly by 2% and 3%, respectively.