New Delhi saw a welcome dip in home-cooked meal prices this January. According to fresh data from Crisil Intelligence, the cost of a vegetarian thali edged down by 1% year-on-year, while non-vegetarian versions plunged a sharp 7%. This relief comes amid falling prices for key staples like vegetables and pulses.
The report, released mid-week, highlights how onion, potato, and lentil prices tumbled significantly. Onions dropped 27% annually due to ample stocks and reduced exports. Potatoes followed with a 23% decline, influenced by a high base from last year’s poor harvest-driven surge.
Pulses also eased 14% over the year, bolstered by surging imports of Bengal gram (up ninefold), yellow peas (85% rise), and black chickpeas (31% increase). These imports, allowed until March 2026 despite minor duties, have stabilized supplies.
However, not all ingredients played ball. Tomatoes spiked 50% to Rs 46 per kg from Rs 31, thanks to a 39% supply drop—though from a low base last year. Edible oils rose 4% on global soybean shortages, and LPG prices climbed 6%, capping the overall savings.
Crisil’s Pushpan Sharma noted, ‘Plenty of onions, potatoes, and pulses drove veg thali costs lower, offset somewhat by tomatoes and cooking fuels.’ This trend offers households some breathing room amid persistent inflation pressures, but experts watch for supply chain hiccups ahead.