09 - 10 - 2026

Festive demand, supply tightness keep thali costs elevated

Home-cooked vegetarian thalis saw their average preparation costs rise 10 per cent and that of non-vegetarian plates by 6 per cent in September due to higher prices of onion, vegetable oil, rice and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The prices of non-veg thalis rose at a slower pace due to broiler prices.

Vegetarian thali costs rose due to higher prices of onion, vegetable oil, rice and LPG, while non-vegetarian thali costs as broiler prices increased, Crisil Intelligence said in a report.

The average cost of preparing a thali (rice plate) 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.

Onion prices surged about 89 per cent on-year to ₹53 per kg in September 2026 from ₹28 per kg a year ago, amid tight rabi stocks following a 5-6 per cent decline in production. Availability is expected to remain constrained in the near term as June rainfall was 40 per cent below the long-period average, delaying kharif transplanting and pushing back fresh arrivals. Onion prices are, therefore, expected to see a sharper on-year increase in the first half of October, with seasonal festive demand adding to supply pressures, before moderating gradually towards month-end as fresh kharif arrivals enter the market.

Vegetable oil prices rose 12 per cent on-year despite lower basic customs duty on palm oil, driven by geopolitical uncertainties and concerns over the impact of El Niño on global palm oil production. LPG prices remained 10 per cent higher on-year amid global supply disruptions.

Rice prices rose 8 per cent on-year amid expectations of a 5-6 per cent decline in paddy production due to lower acreage and weaker yields.

Non-veg thali cost rose slower, as broiler prices, accounting for about half the thali cost, increased only 2 per cent on-year amid lower chick placements, monsoon-related supply disruptions and higher maize prices.

On-month, the cost of a veg thali rose 4 per cent, while that of a non-veg thali rose 3 per cent in September.

The veg thali cost rose as onion prices surged 34 per cent on-month on tighter rabi stocks ahead of fresh kharif arrivals. Seasonal inventory depletion during October is likely to keep prices elevated in the near term.

For the non-veg thali, a 2 per cent on-month rise in broiler prices amid lower production contributed to the increase in the overall cost.

A vegetarian thali includes roti, vegetables (onion, tomato, potato), rice, (dal lentils), curd and salad. A non-vegetarian thali replaces dal with chicken (broiler). Commodity prices are estimations due to constraints in data availability.

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