India Thali Costs Decline
Analysis based on 10 articles · First reported Feb 12, 2026 · Last updated Mar 06, 2026
The decline in home-cooked thali costs, particularly for non-vegetarian options, indicates a softening in food inflation, which could positively impact consumer spending and overall economic sentiment in India. However, rising tomato and vegetable oil prices, along with increased liquefied petroleum gas costs, limit the overall relief and suggest potential inflationary pressures in specific food categories.
The cost of home-cooked vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis in India saw declines in January and February 2026, according to reports by S&P Global — CRISIL Ratings Intelligence. In January, vegetarian thali costs fell 1% year-on-year, and non-vegetarian thalis dropped 7%, primarily due to lower onion, potato, and pulse prices. However, elevated tomato prices, which surged 50% year-on-year in January, limited the overall decline. In February, the vegetarian thali cost remained flat year-on-year, while non-vegetarian thalis declined 3%, driven by a drop in broiler prices. Onion and potato prices continued to fall due to higher stock levels and increased arrivals, while pulse prices softened due to healthy imports. Pushan Sharma of S&P Global — CRISIL Ratings Intelligence noted that while some prices are expected to remain subdued, tomato prices are likely to stay higher until mid-April.
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