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Onion-Tomato Price Rise Hits Kitchens: Veg and Non-Veg Thali Costs Increase, Pulses May Get Costlier

Posted on 9th Jul 2026 03:01 pm by rohit kumar

Rising prices of onions, tomatoes, edible oil, LPG cylinders, and chicken have made home-cooked meals more expensive across India. According to CRISIL's latest Rice Roti Rate (RRR) report, the average cost of a vegetarian thali increased by 5% year-on-year in June 2026, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali rose by 6%, reflecting continued pressure on household budgets.

 

Vegetarian Thali Becomes Costlier in June

 

The average cost of preparing a vegetarian thali at home increased to ₹28.4 in June 2026, compared with ₹28.1 in the same month last year.

 

CRISIL attributed the increase to higher prices of:

 

Tomatoes

Onions

Edible oil

LPG cylinders

 

Although potato prices declined during the period, the relief was offset by inflation in other essential kitchen ingredients.

 

Non-Vegetarian Thali Also Gets Costlier

 

The report noted that the average cost of a non-vegetarian thali climbed 6% year-on-year, mainly due to rising broiler chicken prices.

 

Chicken contributes nearly 50% of the total cost of a non-vegetarian meal. Reduced poultry supply, caused by extreme summer heat, higher bird mortality, and lower chick placements, pushed broiler prices 7% higher compared to last year.

 

Monthly Increase in Food Costs

 

Compared with May 2026, food prices also increased during June:

 

Vegetarian thali cost rose 4%

Non-vegetarian thali cost increased 3%

 

During the month:

 

Tomato prices jumped 17%

Onion prices increased 8%

Potato prices rose 5%

Broiler chicken prices gained 2% due to supply constraints.

Middle East Crisis Pushes Up LPG and Edible Oil Prices

 

According to Pushan Sharma, Director, CRISIL Intelligence, geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran disrupted global supply chains.

 

As a result:

 

LPG cylinder prices increased 10% year-on-year

Edible oil prices also rose 10%

 

These higher input costs contributed significantly to the increase in household meal expenses.

 

Tomato Prices Up 31%; Onion Prices Stay Firm

 

Tomato prices climbed sharply from ₹32 per kg in June 2025 to ₹42 per kg in June 2026, representing a 31% increase.

 

The rise has been linked to:

 

Delayed summer sowing

Reduced crop transplantation

High temperatures during February and March

 

Meanwhile, onion prices rose 2% year-on-year, supported by limited Rabi supplies and the arrival of higher-priced stocks.

 

Potato prices, however, declined 14% due to improved arrivals from the new Rabi crop, providing partial relief to consumers.

 

Pulse Prices May Rise Further

 

CRISIL also warned that Urad and Moong prices may remain elevated due to:

 

Low opening stocks

Crop damage caused by adverse weather in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra

 

Delayed monsoon rainfall has also slowed sowing of Kharif onions and tomatoes, increasing the possibility of tighter supplies in the coming weeks.

 

Outlook: Onion and Tomato Prices May Stay High

 

According to the report, onion prices are likely to remain firm in the medium term because of:

 

Lower Rabi inventories

Delayed Kharif arrivals

 

Tomato prices are also expected to remain elevated during July and August, supported by delayed sowing and seasonal supply shortages.

 

Relief may arrive from September, when fresh Kharif crop arrivals from southern and western India improve market supplies, provided monsoon conditions remain favourable and logistics remain uninterrupted.

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