Veg thali cost remained flat, non-veg declined 3% in February: Crisil report
New Delhi, March 6
The cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali was flat year-on-year in February 2026, while a non-vegetarian thali declined 3 per cent, according to the 'Roti Rice Rate' report of Crisil Intelligence.
Despite a decline in the prices of onion, potato and pulses, the cost of a veg thali remained stable as tomato prices rose sharply, Crisil analysis found.
Tomato prices rose 43 per cent year-on-year to Rs 33 per kg in February 2026 (from Rs 23 a kg in February 2025) as mandi arrivals between November 2025 and January 2026 fell 32 per cent year-on-year due to delayed transplantation affecting crop yield and tightening supplies.
Onion prices fell 24 per cent year-on-year due to an influx of late kharif onions, while limited shelf life forced immediate market disposal amid subdued exports.
Potato prices fell 13 per cent year-on-year as the crop has entered peak harvest phase coinciding with continued liquidation of cold storage stock from the previous rabi season.
Pulse prices declined 9 per cent year-on-year on account of higher opening stocks in the current fiscal. Tur inventories for the July-June marketing year are estimated to be 20 per cent higher, while Bengal gram stocks for the January-December marketing year are 10 per cent higher this season, exerting downward pressure on prices.
Vegetable oil prices rose 4 per cent year-on-year due to tighter supply of soybean oil in the global market, leading to higher domestic oil prices. However, a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in the prices of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders limited the decline in the overall cost of thalis.
The cost of a non-veg thali fell due to an estimated 7 per cent year-on-year decline in broiler prices, which account for 50 per cent of the cost, on a high base. Lower prices of onion, potato and pulses also contributed to the decline while elevated tomato prices limited the fall. Month-on-month, however, the cost of veg and nonveg thalis declined 5 per cent and 1 per cent, respectively, in February.
Tomato, potato and onion prices dipped 29 per cent, 6 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively, supporting the decline, due to higher arrivals.
The cost of a non-veg thali fell at a slower pace because of an estimated 2 per cent month-on-month rise in broiler prices due to higher feed costs, strong seasonal demand and firm supply, Crisil said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some positive news! The 3% drop in non-veg thali is welcome, especially with chicken prices down. Hope this trend continues. 🍗 But the LPG cylinder price increase is quietly eating into any savings we might get.
Interesting analysis. It shows how interconnected global and local factors are—soybean oil supply affecting our thali cost. The 43% tomato price hike due to delayed transplantation is a classic example of how climate and farming cycles hit the common person's kitchen.
Onion and potato prices are down, which is great. But one vegetable (tomato) can single-handedly keep the overall cost flat. This report proves we need better supply chain management and storage facilities. Jai Kisan, but also need better planning.
As someone who tracks this monthly, the month-on-month decline of 5% in veg thali is the real story for February. Hopefully, tomato arrivals improve and we see more relief. The "Roti Rice Rate" report is actually quite useful for family budget planning.
Respectfully, these "thali cost" metrics sometimes feel disconnected from reality. The cost may be flat, but the quality or quantity of items in that theoretical thali? Not discussed. And pulses down 9%? I didn't see that at my local sabzi mandi last week.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.