Home-Cooked Meals Got Cheaper in February – Here’s Why

Home-cooked meals became a little lighter on the wallet in February, thanks to falling grocery prices. According to a Crisil Ltd. tracker, the overall cost of preparing meals at home dipped by 5% compared to January. But not all meals saw the same trend-while vegetarian meal costs dropped slightly, non-vegetarian meals got more expensive.

If you're a vegetarian, you might have noticed some relief at the grocery store. The price of tomatoes plunged by 28% to ₹23 per kg, thanks to a surge in supply. Onions and potatoes also became cheaper, helping bring down the cost of a veg meal by 1%. Even cooking gas prices dropped by 11%, giving home cooks a little extra breathing room.

But if you're a meat-eater, the story was different. The cost of a non-veg meal shot up by nearly 6%, partly because many vegetables used in meat dishes stayed pricey. While some veggies got cheaper, onions still saw an 11% price hike, potatoes went up by 16%, and vegetable oil became 18% more expensive-making it harder for food costs to drop further.

So, while February did bring some relief for home kitchens, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Prices are still higher than they were last year, meaning home-cooked meals may not feel as budget-friendly as before.