March 2026 Non-Vegetarian Thali Pricing: Home-Cooked Non-Veg Meals See Price Drop
The cost of home-cooked meals in India has shown mixed trends as of March 2026, according to a recent report by Crisil Intelligence. The price of a non-vegetarian thali decreased by 1% year-on-year, while the cost of a vegetarian thali remained stable. This stability in vegetarian meal prices can be attributed to rising tomato costs, which offset the decline in prices for other essential ingredients like onions and potatoes. The report highlights how fluctuations in food prices directly impact household budgets across the country.
Vegetarian Thali Prices Remain Unchanged
The price of a vegetarian thali has remained unchanged, primarily due to a significant increase in tomato prices. In March 2026, tomatoes were priced at Rs 28 per kg, marking a 33% rise from Rs 21 per kg in March 2025. This surge is linked to delayed transplantation in key agricultural states such as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which adversely affected crop growth and market arrivals. Conversely, onion prices saw a notable decline of 25% year-on-year, driven by an excess supply resulting from overlapping harvests and weak export demand. Additionally, potato prices dropped by 13% due to reduced demand from the hospitality sector and broader stock liquidation. These contrasting trends in vegetable prices have kept the overall cost of vegetarian thalis stable.
Non-Vegetarian Thali Costs Decline
The decrease in the cost of a non-vegetarian thali can be largely attributed to a decline in broiler chicken prices. The report indicates that broiler prices fell by approximately 2% year-on-year, significantly impacting the overall cost, as chicken constitutes about half of the non-veg thali’s expenses. This reduction in poultry prices has provided some relief to consumers, allowing for a slight decrease in the overall cost of non-vegetarian meals. The report emphasizes that this decline comes on the heels of a high price base from the previous year, making the current prices more favorable for households.
Monthly Trends in Thali Costs
On a month-to-month basis, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis experienced price reductions of 3% and 2%, respectively. The report highlights that tomato and potato prices each fell by 6% month-on-month, while onion prices saw a more significant drop of 14%. Additionally, pulse prices eased by 6%, attributed to higher opening stocks. For instance, tur inventories for the July-June marketing year are estimated to be 20% higher, and Bengal gram stocks for the January-December marketing year are approximately 10% higher this season. However, despite these reductions, global supply disruptions have led to a 6% increase in vegetable oil prices and a 14% rise in LPG cylinder prices, which may limit the overall financial relief for households.
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