New Delhi, April 6: The price of vegetarian thalis remained stable in March compared to the previous year, while non-vegetarian thalis saw a 1% decline. This information was revealed in a report released by Crisil Intelligence on Monday.
The report indicated that the cost of home-cooked vegetarian thalis held steady in March. This was attributed to the lower prices of onions, potatoes, and lentils, which offset the rising costs of tomatoes, cooking oils, and fuel. Conversely, the cost of non-vegetarian thalis decreased, primarily due to an estimated 2% annual drop in the prices of broiler chickens, which account for approximately 50% of the total cost.
According to the report, tomato prices surged due to delays in sowing in key agricultural regions, while an oversupply of onions led to a price drop. Additionally, weak demand for potatoes exerted pressure on their prices.
In major producing states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, delays in sowing adversely affected crop development, yield, and timely arrivals, resulting in a 33% year-on-year increase in tomato prices in March 2026, reaching ₹28 per kilogram, up from ₹21 per kilogram in March 2025.
Onion prices fell by 25% year-on-year due to an oversupply from the late kharif crop and the simultaneous harvesting of rabi crops, which led to increased supply and weakened exports.
Given the limited shelf life of late kharif onions, forced sales have occurred. The current fiscal year has seen a 6% annual decline in lentil prices due to higher initial stocks, which has somewhat alleviated price pressures.
However, global supply disruptions have led to a 6% year-on-year increase in vegetable oil prices. The report further noted that LPG cylinder prices rose by 14% annually due to these disruptions, limiting the overall cost reduction of thalis.
Pushpan Sharma, Director of Crisil Intelligence, stated, “Rising crude oil prices due to ongoing conflicts in West Asia have resulted in increased demand from the biofuel sector, causing a spike in food oil prices. This month, global prices for palm and sunflower oils have risen, impacting domestic markets. Additionally, high prices have made importers cautious, leading to reduced purchases and increased pressure on stocks.”
He added, “Vegetable oil prices are likely to remain high in the near future due to geopolitical uncertainties.”
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