Home-cooked meals became pricier in June as tomato prices soared, pushing up the cost of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis, according to Crisil’s monthly ‘Roti, Rice, Rate’ report released Tuesday. A vegetarian thali rose 3% to Rs 27.1 from Rs 26.2 in May, while a non-vegetarian thali climbed 4% to Rs 54.8 from Rs 52.6.

The surge was driven by a 36% month-on-month jump in tomato prices, triggered by an 8% drop in market arrivals. Potatoes also contributed, with a 4% price increase. For non-vegetarian thalis, a 5% rise in broiler prices—due to heat-related supply constraints—added to the burden, the report noted.

“Seasonal pressures and erratic weather are likely to keep thali costs rising,” said Pushan Sharma, Director at Crisil Intelligence. Weak summer sowing of tomatoes and limited fresh onion arrivals, coupled with controlled rabi stock releases, are expected to fuel further price hikes.

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Despite the monthly uptick, thali costs dropped year-on-year—8% for vegetarian and 6% for non-vegetarian meals—owing to a high base from June 2024, when vegetable prices were elevated. The report tracks ingredients like cereals, pulses, vegetables, spices, edible oil, and cooking gas across India’s regions, reflecting their impact on household budgets.

As vegetable supply chains face ongoing disruptions, the rising cost of staples like tomatoes underscores the challenge of keeping kitchen expenses in check.

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