Key Points

The decline in vegetarian thali cost year-on-year was led by a sharp drop in the prices of vegetables -- primarily tomato, onion, and potato (TOP) -- on a high base: − Tomato prices fell 36 per cent on-year to Rs 42 per kg in July from Rs 66 per kg, driven by a high base effect as the prices typically surge around July/August due to seasonality, even breaching Rs 100 per kg in 2023.

Prices of potato and onion declined 30 per cent and 36 per cent on-year, respectively, on a high base. In the year-ago period, potato production dropped 5-7 per cent due to blight infestations and weather changes, which led to a rise in prices. For onion, an 18-20 per cent rise in annual production led to a dip in prices in 2025.

Prices of pulses declined 14 per cent year-on-year, driven by higher production and stock levels compared with the year-ago period, and the cost of rice declined 4 per cent.

The decline in the cost of a non-vegetarian thali was driven by lower vegetable prices and an estimated 12 per cent on-year drop in broiler prices, which make up about 50 per cent of its cost, the report said.

However, despite a reduction in basic customs duty (BCD) on crude edible oils, vegetable oil prices surged 20 per cent on-year as the benefits of lower BCD have not yet been completely passed on to customers. Additionally, a 6 per cent on-year increase in liquefied petroleum gas cylinder prices limited the decline in the overall cost of thalis, the Crisil report added.

- IANS