In a significant relief for Indian households, the average cost of home-cooked thalis—both vegetarian and non-vegetarian—dropped in June 2025, driven by reduced prices of essential food items like vegetables, pulses, and cooking oil. This downward trend in domestic meal costs signals a welcome moderation in food inflation, offering a breather to consumers already grappling with high living expenses.
According to a recent report by CRISIL, the price of a vegetarian thali declined by 5% month-on-month in June, while the non-vegetarian thali witnessed a steeper fall of 7%. The decrease is primarily attributed to lower prices of vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and potatoes, along with a drop in pulse and edible oil prices, which constitute a major portion of household food consumption.
The average cost of preparing a vegetarian thali at home dropped to ₹26.30 in June from ₹27.60 in May. Meanwhile, a non-vegetarian thali—which includes a serving of chicken—cost around ₹54.90 in June, compared to ₹59.00 the previous month. These estimates are based on an average household meal comprising rice, dal, vegetables, roti, curd, and chicken (in the non-vegetarian version).
Key Drivers Behind the Decline:
Vegetable Price Correction: Wholesale prices of major vegetables fell sharply in June due to improved supply conditions, following better-than-expected arrivals in major mandis (markets). For instance, tomato prices dropped by over 12%, while onion and potato prices dipped by 10% and 8%, respectively.
Lower Poultry Feed Costs: The non-vegetarian thali benefited from a reduction in poultry prices, which fell due to declining feed costs. Maize and soybean prices—key ingredients in poultry feed—eased after months of volatility, helping chicken prices stabilize.
Global Oil Prices Influence: Global edible oil prices remained soft, and the benefit was passed on to Indian consumers. As cooking oil is a vital component of meal preparation, this directly impacted thali costs.
Seasonal Factors and Inflationary Outlook:
Analysts suggest that the price drop could be short-lived as monsoon variability and potential supply chain disruptions may lead to volatility in coming months. However, the current decline is expected to positively impact the consumer price index (CPI), especially the food inflation component, in the short term.
“Stable thali prices reflect improved food availability and supply chain efficiency, although climate risks remain a major concern,” said a senior economist at CRISIL.
