Home-Cooked Thalis Became Cheaper in June 2025: CRISIL

In June 2025, the cost of preparing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis at home saw a decline compared to the same time last year. The vegetarian thali cost dropped by 8%, while the non-vegetarian thali was cheaper by around 6%.

This fall was mainly because of lower vegetable prices. Tomato prices fell by 24% year-on-year, from ₹42/kg in June 2024 to ₹32/kg in June 2025. Onion and potato prices also fell sharply—onion by 27% and potato by 20%—thanks to better supply and production this year. Last year, both crops suffered due to bad weather and plant diseases.

Broiler Chicken Prices Balanced Overall Costs of Home-Cooked Thalis

The price of broiler chicken, which makes up about 50% of a non-veg thali's cost, also dropped 3% on-year, helping bring down the overall cost of non-vegetarian meals. However, prices of edible oils rose by 19%, despite the government cutting basic customs duty on crude edible oils. The benefit has not been fully passed on to consumers yet.

Also, a 6% rise in LPG cylinder prices reduced the overall savings, as fuel is a major cost in home-cooked meals.

Monthly Prices of Home-Cooked Thalis Go Up

While yearly prices have dropped, June 2025 saw a rise in thali costs compared to May 2025. The vegetarian thali cost rose by 3%, while the non-veg thali increased by 4%.

The main reason was a 36% surge in tomato prices on-month, caused by an 8% fall in supply. Potato prices also went up 4%, while onion prices stayed the same. Broiler prices rose 5% on-month, as extreme heat affected chicken supply and growth.

Read more: THIS Tobacco Stock Turned ₹1 Lakh Into ₹9 Lakhs in Just 5 Years!

Conclusion

Although thali prices have come down compared to last year—thanks to better vegetable supply and cheaper chicken—consumers still feel the pinch month-to-month. Higher tomato and broiler prices, along with rising fuel and edible oil costs, continue to push up the cost of daily meals in many Indian households.

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