New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) The price of a homemade vegetarian (veg) thali remained unchanged in March compared to the same month last year, while the cost of a non-vegetarian (non-veg) thali saw a decline of 1 percent due to a drop in chicken prices, as reported by Crisil Intelligence on Monday.

The expense of preparing a vegetarian thali at home stabilized in March as decreased prices for onions, potatoes, and pulses balanced out the rise in costs for tomatoes, edible oils, and fuel. The reduction in the cost of a non-veg thali was attributed to a year-on-year decline of approximately 2 percent in broiler prices, which made up nearly 50 percent of the total cost, according to the report.

Tomato prices surged as a result of postponed transplanting in major growing regions, while onion prices decreased due to an oversupply and a slump in demand exerted downward pressure on potato prices, the report stated.

In March 2026, tomato prices increased by 33 percent year-on-year, reaching Rs 28 per kg (up from Rs 21 per kg in March 2025), largely due to delayed transplanting in key areas like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which negatively affected crop growth, yield, and timely market arrivals.

Onion prices dropped by 25 percent year-on-year, driven by an abundance of supply from overlapping late kharif and rabi harvests, coupled with reduced exports, leading to distress sales due to the short shelf life of late kharif onions. Pulse prices decreased by 6 percent year-on-year due to higher opening stocks this fiscal year, easing price pressures.

Vegetable oil prices rose by 6 percent year-on-year due to ongoing global supply disruptions. The cost of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders increased by 14 percent year-on-year amidst global supply issues, preventing a more significant reduction in overall thali costs, the report added.

Pushan Sharma, Director at Crisil Intelligence, commented: "The conflict in West Asia has driven up crude oil prices, which in turn has raised edible oil prices amidst growing demand from the biofuel sector. Global prices for palm and sunflower oil saw an increase during the month, impacting domestic markets as well. Simultaneously, importers have become cautious due to high prices, reducing their procurement and affecting ending stocks."

He further noted, "In the short term, geopolitical uncertainties are likely to maintain high vegetable oil prices."

Onion prices are anticipated to stay under pressure in the near future due to high arrivals and weak export demand. However, with an expected decline of about 10 percent in production and reported damage to the summer crop—crucial for lean-season supply—onion prices are projected to gradually recover in the forthcoming months. A boost in exports or assistance from the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (NAFED) could also help stabilize prices, the report indicated.

The average cost of preparing a thali at home is calculated based on input prices across northern, southern, eastern, and western India. The monthly variation reflects the influence on the average person's spending. The data also highlights the ingredients such as cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oils, and cooking gas that significantly contribute to the fluctuations in thali costs.