Red Dot United: Sharp rise in hawker food prices squeezing Singaporeans’ wallets

SINGAPORE: Red Dot United (RDU), Singapore’s alternative party, has expressed concern regarding the escalating food prices across the city-state, particularly in hawker centres and coffeeshops.

They worried that the increase in food prices is outpacing the average annual increase observed over the past decade.

RDU, citing the Singapore Department of Statistics, highlighted that the prices of cooked hawker food increased by 6.1% in 2023, the highest increase since 2008.

This is higher than the 5.7% increase in 2022 and the average annual increase of 2.2% from 2012 to 2022.

Food court and coffee shop prices increased by 6.1%, while hawker centre prices increased by 6.0%.

“The $3 chicken rice, which was common until fairly recently, can rarely be found in our hawker centres and coffeeshops. An average plate of chicken rice now costs $4, or more.”

RDU strongly criticizes the government’s approach to addressing rising food prices, asserting that urging lower- and middle-class Singaporeans to search for cheap food through an app is demeaning, especially considering that many are already relying on food banks due to financial strain.

Their criticism stems from the government’s newly launched initiative, the Great Budget Meal Hunt, introduced in January, which allows the public to find meals priced at $3.50 or less through crowdsourcing.

RDU said The Government can do more to keep the stomachs of Singaporeans full.

“Surely, it is not too much to ask for hardworking households to have 3 square and nutritious meals a day.”

In RDU’s Shadow Budget 2024, the party proposed that the government could implement policies to prevent HDB coffeeshops from change hands for tens of millions of dollars, as this could contribute to increased food costs.

They also suggested measures to stabilize rents for stalls in hawker centres, preventing hawkers from being unduly burdened by rising costs.

“The Government can, by relooking into the COE system, lower the cost of transportation. ”

In an earlier Facebook post, RDU shed light on the concerns voiced by residents of Jurong regarding the escalating prices of goods, particularly after the government’s further increase in GST in January.

The party highlighted that residents expressed how they are now finding it increasingly difficult to dine out due to financial constraints, resulting in a greater emphasis on home-cooked meals, despite the challenges faced by dual-income households.

“Some are even skipping meals, or scrimping on eating wholesome, nutritious meals because they can’t afford it.”

Additionally, RDU recognized the predicament faced by hawkers and coffeeshop stall owners, who grapple with rising costs but are constrained in their ability to adjust prices.

“They face enormous price increases themselves but are forced to keep the prices of the dishes they sell the same, or to make only slight increases. So, some make the portions smaller but still charge the same amount, hoping people won’t notice. ”

Affirming their solidarity with Jurong residents, RDU reiterated their call for government intervention to alleviate these challenges and ensure affordability for all members of the community.