SINGAPORE: On Monday (Apr 25), chwee kueh seller Theresa Tan's chye poh (preserved radish) supplier told her that he will increase his prices.
A tin of chye poh, which she can easily go through in a day, will cost S$158 from May 1, up from S$130 now.
This additional cost for the ingredient, an essential in the making of the steamed rice flour cake dish, would come on top of others.
Speaking to CNA at her stall at Bendemeer Market and Food Centre on Wednesday, Ms Tan rattled off a list of ingredients that have become more expensive recently – cooking oil, sugar, garlic and onions.
As a result, Ms Tan will also raise her prices from May 1. Four pieces of chwee kueh will cost S$1.60, up from S$1.20, while eight pieces will cost S$3.20, up from S$2.40.
"I tried not to increase (the price), but if I don't, I'll drop dead," she said, adding that it's the first time in 10 years that she is raising prices. At the current prices, she earns enough just to pay for her overheads, including utilities and the salaries of her two workers.
At an Owen Road coffee shop, the price of a plate of chicken rice was raised from S$3 to S$3.50 earlier this month.
A sign at the stall reads: "Due to the recent increase in food raw materials and operating costs, coupled with global inflation, our store has decided to adjust the price of food slightly from 11th April 2022."
Mr Foo Tak Lim, who runs the stall, said the cost of ingredients like oil, noodles, chicken and eggs has increased by 10 to 20 per cent.
But the 50-cent rise in his chicken rice price – his second increase in the last 10 years – does little to cover his costs, Mr Foo said. His stall is still running at a loss.
INCREASE IN PRICES ACROSS THE BOARD
Association representatives painted the same picture of the need for hawkers to raise prices.
About 40 to 45 per cent of the 200 members of the Kheng Keow Coffee Merchants Restaurant and Bar-Owners Association have raised prices recently, its vice-chairman Kenneth Lee told CNA.
The increase ranges from 10 or 20 cents for drinks to up to S$1 for food, with seafood prices going up the highest, he said.
Many stalls use cooking oil manufactured in Ukraine, Mr Lee noted. Oil prices have shot up amid tight worldwide supply following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February this year.
Similarly, Mr Anthony Low, who chairs the hawker division of the Federation of Merchants’ Associations (FMAS), highlighted the soaring cost of cooking oil – a tin now costs about S$50, double what it cost about a year ago.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sin...ive-rising-cost-ingredients-hits-hard-2653076
