High Onion Prices, Costly Gas Push Up Home-Cooked Thali Costs In July: Veg Up 4%, Non-Veg 9%

Published 7 August 2026 · india

News india High Onion Prices, Costly Gas Push Up Home-Cooked Thali Costs In July: Veg Up 4%, Non-Veg 9% High Onion Prices, Costly Gas Push

News india High Onion Prices, Costly Gas Push Up Home-Cooked Thali Costs In July: Veg Up 4%, Non-Veg 9% High Onion Prices, Costly Gas Push Up Home-Cooked Thali Costs In July: Veg Up 4%, Non-Veg 9% Published By, Last Updated: August 07, 2026, 23:55 IST Onion prices climbed 20% compared with a year earlier, while vegetable oil and LPG cylinder prices rose 11% and 10%, respectively, adding pressure on household food budgets. The sharper rise in non-veg meals was driven by higher chicken prices along with the increase in other kitchen essentials. (AI-generated image) The cost of a home-cooked meal rose in July as higher onion, cooking gas and vegetable oil prices pushed up thali expenses, according to a report by Crisil Intelligence. The average cost of a vegetarian thali increased 4 per cent year-on-year, while a non-vegetarian thali became 9 per cent costlier during the month.

The sharper rise in non-veg meals was driven by higher chicken prices along with the increase in other kitchen essentials. Onion, Oil And LPG Drive Up Meal Costs Onion prices climbed 20 per cent compared with a year earlier, while vegetable oil and LPG cylinder prices rose 11 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, adding pressure on household food budgets. For non-vegetarian thalis, broiler chicken prices increased 14 per cent from a year ago. Crisil said chicken accounts for nearly half the cost of a non-veg meal, making it a key factor behind the higher increase. The report said onion prices remained elevated due to the arrival of costlier stored rabi stocks. Supplies were also affected after unseasonal rainfall and hailstorms in Maharashtra during March and April damaged late-season crops and stored inventories. Vegetable oil and LPG prices increased amid supply disruptions and higher energy costs linked to the ongoing war in West Asia, the report added.

Potato, Tomato Prices Offer Some Relief The rise in thali costs was partly limited by lower prices of some vegetables. Potato prices declined 12 per cent year-on-year, while tomato prices fell 2 per cent. Crisil said potato prices eased after a 2-3 per cent increase in rabi production, supported by higher acreage. Tomato prices stayed lower due to delayed planting and higher arrivals in markets during July. On a month-on-month basis, the vegetarian thali cost rose 2 per cent in July, mainly due to a 23 per cent jump in onion prices and a 4 per cent rise in potato prices. The cost of a non-vegetarian thali remained unchanged from June as a 2 per cent fall in broiler prices, due to softer demand, offset the impact of higher prices of other ingredients. (With inputs from PTI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad.