The primary factor driving up costs is clearly the price of tomatoes. In May 2025, tomato prices soared by 57%, rising from ₹23 to ₹36 per kg, following a 3-4% dip in rabi production in the southern states, worsened by reduced summer crop acreage and heat-affected yields.
“Home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali costs increased by 5% and 7% year-on-year in May, respectively, influenced by rising prices of tomatoes, vegetable oil, and liquefied petroleum gas,” stated Pushan Sharma, Director at Crisil Intelligence.
Tomato prices saw a further 23% month-on-month increase in May, adding additional strain to household finances already burdened by persistently high energy costs.
Global pressures compound domestic woes
In addition to tomatoes, continuing global supply chain issues have resulted in higher prices for vegetable oil and LPG cylinders, which rose by 8% and 7% year-on-year, respectively. These three contributors have significantly impacted cost increases while reducing any relief from other food items in the basket.
Onion prices declined by 6% year-on-year due to new rabi arrivals, and potato prices fell by 14% year-on-year thanks to a 2-3% increase in rabi production and the depletion of cold storage stocks. Prices for pulses eased by 2% year-on-year, supported by duty-free imports of toor dal, which are allowed until March 2027.
Non-vegetarian households felt the effects more acutely. Broiler chicken prices, which make up about half the cost of a non-vegetarian thali, increased by an estimated 9% year-on-year, primarily due to increased bird mortality among poultry flocks caused by extreme summer heat, affecting supply.
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“The rise in bird mortality among poultry due to intense summer heat has tightened supply and increased prices. Higher costs for tomato, vegetable oil, and LPG also contributed to the rise in non-veg thali expenses,” the report highlighted.
On a month-on-month basis, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thali costs rose by 3% in May, with potato prices also increasing by 3% and onion prices by 2%.
Tomato prices are anticipated to remain high in the short term due to ongoing supply pressures. The RRR report is released monthly by Crisil Intelligence, a division of S&P Global.
