Some hawkers mull over raising prices as Ukraine crisis adds to cost burden

More may do so after some recently adjusted prices amid rising inflation and overheads

- Amanda Lee and Kolette Lim

Since she took over her father’s yong tau foo stall 13 years ago, Madam Lee Siew Khim had raised her prices only once before, in 2019.

But Madam Lee, 50, who runs Xiu Ji Ikan Bilis Yong Tau Fu at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, will be increasing prices at her stall from next month due to rising costs. Her stall sells a bowl of six pieces of yong tau fu or a bowl of noodles or bee hoon with four pieces of yong tau fu for $3. Their price will go up to $3.50.

Madam Lee is one of 38 hawkers whom The Straits Times spoke to about how the Russia-Ukraine crisis and inflation have impacted their business. Seventeen of them said they will consider reviewing their prices if supply costs and overheads continue to rise.

Madam Lee said the prices of ingredients have been creeping up over the past year. For instance, the cost of an 18kg tin of vegetable cooking oil is now $50, from $35 in March last year.

She said: “I use three tins of vegetable cooking oil a week at my stall, so I spend about $150 on cooking oil per week. If I don’t increase my prices soon, it would be quite hard for me to sustain my profits.”

Mr Lee Yong Wen, 30, who runs Mr Meepok at a coffee shop in Clementi West, is also reviewing prices at his stall after the electricity bill rose by over $1,000 last month.

“The prices for many things, like eggs, have been increasing in the past weeks and are set to increase more in future. The inflation definitely hit us badly,” he added.