Tomato prices jump 38 per cent while higher LPG and edible oil costs keep household meal inflation elevated despite softer onion, potato and pulse prices

The cost of preparing both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals at home in India increased 2 per cent year-on-year in April 2026, as higher prices of tomato, vegetable oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders kept household meal costs elevated despite moderation in the prices of onions, potatoes and pulses.

According to the latest “Roti Rice Rate” report, the average cost of a vegetarian thali stood at Rs 26.7 in April 2026 compared with Rs 26.3 in April 2025, while the cost of a non-vegetarian thali increased to Rs 55.1 from Rs 53.9 during the same period last year.

Tomato prices surged 38 per cent year-on-year to Rs 29 per kg in April 2026 from Rs 21 per kg a year earlier, following a 3-4 per cent decline in production caused by lower acreage in southern states. Prices also increased 3 per cent month-on-month, limiting any decline in overall meal costs during the month.

Vegetable oil and LPG cylinder prices rose 7 per cent each on-year due to continuing global supply disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty impacting energy and edible oil markets.

The increase in meal costs was partially offset by easing prices of onions, potatoes and pulses. Onion prices declined 16 per cent year-on-year because of excess supply from overlapping late kharif arrivals and the rabi harvest, along with weak export demand that resulted in distress sales due to the limited shelf life of the late kharif crop.

Potato prices fell 14 per cent year-on-year as rabi output was estimated to be 2-3 per cent higher, while liquidation of cold-storage inventories improved supply availability in the market.

Pulse prices declined 4 per cent year-on-year, aided by duty-free imports of tur allowed until March 2027, which is expected to offset domestic production shortfalls and ensure adequate availability in the market.

On a month-on-month basis, the average cost of a vegetarian thali remained unchanged in April. Lower onion and potato prices, which declined 4 per cent each during the month, helped contain food plate costs, although the increase in tomato prices restricted any broader decline.

The cost of a non-vegetarian thali increased 1 per cent month-on-month due to an estimated 2 per cent rise in broiler chicken prices amid tighter supply conditions.

Broiler prices, which account for nearly half the cost of a non-vegetarian thali, increased because intense summer heat led to higher bird mortality compared with last year, constraining supply. Elevated prices of tomato, vegetable oil and LPG further contributed to the increase in non-vegetarian thali costs.

“A combination of elevated tomato, vegetable oil and LPG prices continued to keep home-cooked meal costs high in April despite easing prices of onions, potatoes and pulses,” said Pushan Sharma, Director, Crisil Intelligence.

“Tomato prices remain a major monitorable in the near term and are expected to rise during July-August amid lower summer sowing due to weak price sentiment and concerns over heatwaves in key northern growing regions,” Sharma added.

He noted that onion prices are expected to remain high because of an estimated 4-6 per cent decline in rabi production this year, while potato prices could also rise as harvesting concludes and cold storage inventories begin entering the market, typically exerting upward pressure on prices.

“Vegetable oil prices are likely to remain elevated in the short term due to uncertainty in West Asia,” Sharma said.

On pulses, Sharma said prices are expected to remain subdued because of higher supplies and largely need-based demand. He added that favourable import parity, release of government buffer stocks and steady domestic arrivals are likely to keep the market well supplied despite lower domestic production.

A vegetarian thali tracked under the “Roti Rice Rate” indicator includes roti, vegetables such as onion, tomato and potato, rice, dal, curd and salad. A non-vegetarian thali replaces dal with broiler chicken. The indicator tracks the average cost of preparing meals at home across north, south, east and west India and reflects the impact of changing commodity prices on household expenditure.