new delhi, Oct. 8 -- The cost of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, or thalis, declined year-on-year (y-o-y) in September, offering some relief to households. According to the Crisil Roti Rice Rate (RRR) report, the average cost of a home-cooked vegetarian thali fell 10%, while that of a non-vegetarian thali eased 6%, driven largely by lower prices of vegetables and pulses. However, high prices of vegetable oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prevented a sharper correction. The RRR measures the average cost of preparing a thali based on prevailing input prices across north, south, east, and west India. It tracks monthly movements in cereals, pulses, broilers, vegetables, spices, edible oil, and cooking gas to reflect their impact on household spends. "In September, the costs of vegetarian and non-vegetarian thalis declined 10% and 6% on-year, respectively, driven by lower prices of vegetables and pulses. However, elevated prices of vegetable oil and liquefied petroleum gas prevented a steeper correction," said Pushan Sharma, director, Crisil Intelligence. The report said that the fall in vegetarian thali costs was led by a slump in prices of vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, and onions, besides pulses. Potato prices fell 31% due to stock dumping by cold storage units, while tomato prices declined 8% due to higher supplies. Onion prices dropped 46% amid increased rabi output and lower imports by Bangladesh, which accounts for 40% of India's onion exports. Pulses prices fell 16% as higher imports of Bengal gram, yellow pea, and black gram pressured costs; these imports are allowed until March 2026. The decline in the cost of non-vegetarian thalis was slower due to a just 1% y-o-y fall in broiler prices, which make about half the cost. However, vegetable oil prices surged 21% y-o-y in September, led by higher demand at the start of the festival season. LPG cylinder prices also rose 6%, limiting the overall decline in thali costs. Sequentially, the vegetarian thali cost fell 3% in September, while the non-vegetarian thali cost rose by a similar margin. Tomato prices fell 21% month-on-month to Rs.42 per kg from Rs.53 per kg, reflecting an 8% increase in arrivals from western and southern markets. Potato and onion prices also eased, albeit modestly, by 2% and 3%, respectively. The rise in non-vegetarian thali costs was primarily due to an estimated 10% increase in broiler prices amid supply constraints and low production. Sharma expects onion prices to rise moderately in the medium term. Excess rainfall in August and September in key producing states such as Karnataka and Maharashtra has delayed kharif transplantation and raised yield concerns. Heavy rains affecting stored onions or standing kharif crops in October could add further upward pressure. Tomato prices are also expected to firm up during the festive season, partly due to the impact of excessive rainfall on yields in major producing states....