2 days ago
Home-Cooked Thali Costs Rise as Onion and Staples Become Costlier
CRISIL measures the cost of making common meals at home.
In September 2026, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals cost more than a year earlier.
The vegetarian meal became more expensive partly because onions cost much more.
Cooking oil, LPG and rice prices also rose.
The non-vegetarian meal’s cost rose less because chicken prices increased only a little.
CRISIL said onion supplies were tight and new crops were arriving later than usual.
Festive-season demand could keep onion prices high in early October.
Prices may gradually ease toward the end of October as fresh supplies arrive.
In September 2026, a vegetarian thali cost ₹30.80, up 10% year-on-year, while a non-vegetarian thali cost ₹59.50, up 6%.
Month-on-month, vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali costs increased 4% and 3%, respectively.
Onions rose 89% year-on-year to ₹53 per kg and 34% month-on-month, making them the largest contributor to the vegetarian thali’s higher cost.
Vegetable oil, LPG and rice prices rose 12%, 10% and 8% year-on-year, respectively; CRISIL linked the increases to supply and production pressures.
Broiler prices rose 2% year-on-year and month-on-month; CRISIL said delayed kharif arrivals may keep onion prices high in early October before easing toward month-end.
- Who
- CRISIL Intelligence reported on the cost of vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis.
- What
- Home-cooked thali costs rose year-on-year and month-on-month in September.
- Where
- India.
- When
- September 2026; the reports say the findings were released on Thursday.
- Why
- Higher onion, vegetable oil, LPG and rice costs raised meal expenses; broiler prices also increased.
Factors keeping prices high
Potential price relief
Onion prices
Factors keeping prices high
Tight rabi stocks, lower production, delayed kharif arrivals and festive demand are expected to keep prices elevated in the near term.
Potential price relief
CRISIL expects onion prices to moderate gradually toward the end of October as fresh kharif arrivals improve market availability.
Vegetable oil prices
Factors keeping prices high
Geopolitical uncertainty, concerns about El Niño’s effect on palm oil production and festive demand are expected to keep prices elevated.
Potential price relief
The reduction in basic customs duty on crude palm oil from 10% to 5% is expected to lower landed costs by around 5%; CRISIL expects the year-on-year rise to slow in October.
Key facts
- Vegetarian thali cost
- ₹30.80 in September, compared with ₹28.10 a year earlier
- Non-vegetarian thali cost
- ₹59.50 in September, compared with ₹56 a year earlier
- Year-on-year thali change
- Vegetarian: +10%; non-vegetarian: +6%
- Month-on-month thali change
- Vegetarian: +4%; non-vegetarian: +3%
- Onion prices
- ₹53 per kg in September, up 89% year-on-year and 34% month-on-month
- Other year-on-year price changes
- Vegetable oil +12%; LPG +10%; rice +8%; broiler +2%
- Supply outlook
- CRISIL expects onion prices to remain firm in early October and ease gradually toward month-end as fresh kharif arrivals improve availability.
- Vegetable oil outlook
- CRISIL expects vegetable oil prices to rise around 10% year-on-year in October, at a slower pace.
Quotes
Pushan Sharma
Director at Crisil Intelligence.
“The near-term outlook remains firm, as seasonal supply constraints are likely to keep food costs under pressure. Onion prices could remain elevated in the first half of October owing to delayed kharif arrivals, before easing gradually towards the end of October as fresh kharif arrivals improve market availability”
livemint.com
“Onion prices are expected to see a sharper on-year increase in the first half of October, with seasonal festive demand adding to supply pressures. Prices are likely to moderate gradually towards month-end as fresh kharif arrivals enter the market.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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