Home-Cooked Thali Costs Rise as Onion, Oil, and LPG Prices Bite

The cost of preparing a home-cooked meal in India rose again in July, with a vegetarian thali becoming 4% more expensive than a year ago, according to Crisil Intelligence's monthly Roti Rice Rate report. The non-vegetarian thali saw a sharper 9% year-on-year increase, driven largely by higher broiler prices.

Elevated prices of onions, vegetable oil, and cooking gas were the primary drivers behind the costlier vegetarian meal. Onion prices surged 20% from July last year, as unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms in Maharashtra during March and April damaged late-season crops and stored inventories, tightening supplies. Vegetable oil prices climbed 11% and LPG cylinder prices rose 10%, both impacted by supply disruptions and elevated energy costs linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict.

These increases were partially offset by declines in other vegetables. Potato prices fell 12% year-on-year, supported by a 2-3% rise in rabi production on higher acreage. Tomato prices also eased by 2% as delayed summer crop arrivals boosted market supplies during the month.

For the non-vegetarian thali, broiler prices—which account for roughly half the meal's cost—rose an estimated 14% year-on-year. Higher feed costs and a low base effect, as the Shravan month shifted from July last year to August this year, contributed to the increase.

On a month-on-month basis, the vegetarian thali cost rose 2%, driven by a 23% jump in onion prices and a 4% increase in potato prices. A 1% decline in tomato prices and stable prices of other commodities prevented a sharper rise. The non-vegetarian thali, however, remained unchanged from June, as an estimated 2% drop in broiler prices amid moderating demand offset the impact of higher vegetable prices.

The report suggests that movements in key food commodities and energy prices will continue to shape household cooking costs in the coming months.