Indian households experienced a welcome drop in home-cooked meal expenses in July 2025, with the prices of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis registering a notable year-on-year decline, as per the latest Roti Rice Rate report released by credit rating agency Crisil.
According to the report, the average cost of a vegetarian thali fell by 14%, while a non-vegetarian thali became 13% cheaper compared to July 2024. This decline in thali prices is primarily driven by reduced costs of essential ingredients such as vegetables, broiler meat, and pulses — core elements of a typical Indian meal.
Home-cooked meals became notably more affordable for Indian households in July 2025, as both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis saw a significant drop in costs on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis, according to the latest Roti Rice Rate report by credit rating agency Crisil.
As per the report, the cost of a vegetarian thali dropped by 14% and that of a non-vegetarian thali by 13% in comparison to July 2024. This relief in meal costs can be largely attributed to a sharp decline in prices of vegetables, broilers, and pulses — key components of an Indian thali.
However, while the annual trend brought good news for consumers, the monthly picture was mixed. The cost of a vegetarian thali rose 4% from June to reach ₹28.1, the highest in the past six months. The increase was driven primarily by a 27% drop in fresh tomato arrivals, leading to a sequential price spike. Tomato prices, which had declined sharply from last year, rose again month-on-month in July, impacting the overall affordability of the vegetarian meal.
Additional upward pressure came from marginal increases in potato and onion prices, which rose 2% and 5%, respectively, during the month.
In contrast, non-vegetarian thali costs declined 2% on a month-on-month basis, reaching ₹53.5 in July. The drop was primarily the result of a 9% fall in broiler chicken prices, influenced by weaker demand due to monsoon season and the onset of the Shravan month, during which many people abstain from consuming meat.
Since broiler meat constitutes about half the cost of a non-vegetarian thali, the decline significantly contributed to easing the overall cost of the meal.
A deeper look at thali ingredients shows significant year-on-year declines in several essential components:
Tomatoes fell 36% to ₹42/kg compared to July 2024.
Onions and potatoes also dropped 36% and 30%, respectively.
Broiler prices were down 12% year-on-year.
Pulses and rice saw declines of 14% and 4%, respectively.
These declines were supported by improved agricultural output and favourable weather conditions, which enhanced market supply.
However, not all ingredients contributed to the easing trend. Vegetable oil prices surged 20% year-on-year, despite a reduction in basic customs duty. Similarly, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder prices increased by 6%, adding to kitchen expenses and somewhat limiting the cost relief from other falling food items.
According to Pushan Sharma, Director – Research at Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics, the moderation in thali costs went against the grain of typical seasonal price increases in July, a month that usually sees vegetable prices firm up due to monsoon disruptions.
He added that the trend of lower y-o-y thali prices is likely to persist in the coming months, primarily due to the high base created by last year’s steep tomato inflation. An anticipated bumper pulse harvest may further ease prices in that segment.
However, Sharma cautioned that potato and onion prices are expected to remain firm, which could limit the extent of thali cost reductions.
Crisil’s Roti Rice Rate report calculates the average cost of preparing a thali at home using prevailing input prices across North, South, East, and West India. It serves as a barometer of food affordability for the average consumer, accounting for the cost of cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil, and cooking gas.
The monthly data provides a snapshot of how food inflation is affecting household budgets — especially critical for lower-income families where food accounts for a large share of expenses.
As India navigates through the monsoon season and prepares for the festive period ahead, food price trends will be closely watched — both for their impact on household consumption and the broader inflation outlook.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Stay ahead in the dynamic world of trade and commerce with India Business & Trade's weekly newsletter.