The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices prevailing in north, south, east and west India. The monthly change reflects the impact on the common man’s expenditure. The data also reveals the ingredients (cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil and cooking gas) driving the change in the cost of the thali.

Benign veggies

On-year, the cost of home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis declined 8% and ~6%, respectively, in June 2025.

• The decline in vegetarian thali cost onyear was due to a sharp drop in prices of vegetables on a high base:
  
  • Tomato prices fell 24% on-year to Rs 32/kg in June 2025 from Rs 42/kg in June 2024, driven by a high base effect linked to lower yields last year
  • Prices of potato and onion declined 20% and 27% on-year, respectively, on a high base. Last year, potato production dropped ~6% due to blight infestations and weather changes, while rabi onion production declined a sharper ~20% due to lower acreage and yield
    
• Despite a reduction in basic customs duty on crude edible oils, vegetable oil prices surged 19% on-year as the lower costs have not yet been completely passed on to customers. Additionally, a 6% on-year increase in liquefied petroleum gas cylinder prices limited the decline in overall thali cost
• Along with lower vegetable prices, an estimated 3% on-year drop in broiler prices - which make up about 50% of a non-vegetarian thali’s cost - drove down the cost of a non-vegetarian thali 
  

On-month, the cost of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis rose 3% and 4%, respectively, in June 2025

• Tomato prices surged 36% on-month, driven by an 8% decline in arrivals, which, in turn, pushed up the cost of thalis. Meanwhile, potato prices edged up 4% on-month, while onion prices held steady
• An estimated 5% on-month rise in broiler prices contributed to an increase in nonveg thali cost. Broiler prices rose amid reduced supply caused by extreme heat, which led to higher mortality and slower growth in chickens