The price of a home-cooked meal eased in October as meals costs moderated throughout key components. The newest Roti Rice Price (RRR) report by Crisil Market Intelligence and Analytics exhibits that the common value of a vegetarian thali fell 17 per cent year-on-year, whereas a non-vegetarian thali turned 12 per cent cheaper. The decline was pushed largely by decrease costs of greens and pulses, whilst cooking oil and gasoline prices edged up through the festive season.
Sharp fall in vegetable, pulse costs leads decline
Vegetable costs noticed a steep drop in comparison with final 12 months, offering main aid to households. Onion costs plummeted 51 per cent as merchants offloaded Rabi season shares forward of the contemporary Kharif harvest anticipated this month. Subdued exports and excessive home availability additionally saved costs in examine.
Tomato costs declined 40 per cent year-on-year, supported by ample provide from western and southern states, whereas potato costs fell 31 per cent because of sturdy Rabi output, which rose about 3–4 per cent in comparison with the earlier 12 months. Collectively, these declines considerably diminished the general value of vegetarian thalis.
Pulse imports ease strain on meals payments
Costs of pulses fell 17 per cent year-on-year, easing family budgets additional. The autumn got here on the again of upper imports of key pulses comparable to Bengal gram, yellow pea, and black gram. Knowledge from the report exhibits that imports of Bengal gram rose nine-fold within the final fiscal 12 months, whereas yellow pea and black gram imports had been up 85 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively. The sturdy influx improved availability within the home market, serving to cool costs throughout classes.
Cooking oil and LPG restrict total fall
Regardless of the broad decline in meals prices, the costs of vegetable oils elevated 11 per cent year-on-year, reflecting stronger demand through the festive season. Equally, the worth of an LPG cylinder rose 6 per cent year-on-year, limiting the extent of the general decline in thali prices.
Within the non-vegetarian phase, broiler hen costs fell solely 6 per cent in comparison with final 12 months. Since poultry meat makes up almost half the price of a non-vegetarian thali, the smaller decline in broiler costs meant a extra modest drop in whole value in comparison with the vegetarian model.
Month-on-month decline average
On a month-on-month foundation, thali costs moved solely barely. The typical value of a vegetarian thali fell 1 per cent in October, whereas non-vegetarian thalis had been cheaper by round 3 per cent. Month-on-month, onion costs slipped 3 per cent and tomato costs fell 8 per cent, whereas different components remained broadly secure.
Broiler costs additionally declined about 4 per cent over September amid oversupply, resulting in a minor drop within the total value of non-vegetarian meals.
Inflation information exhibits broad aid
The easing thali costs mirror the broader development of moderation in meals inflation. India’s retail inflation, measured by the Client Worth Index (CPI), stood at 1.54 per cent in September 2025 – the bottom studying since June 2017. The decline has been supported by beneficial base results and falling costs of greens, pulses, edible oils, cereals, fruits, eggs, and gasoline.
Retail inflation information for October is anticipated this week and can point out whether or not the cooling development in meals prices continues into the festive quarter. The present moderation is anticipated to assist family consumption as meals stays the only largest element of spending for many households.
