by Jessica Lim
THE lucrative Chinese New Year period may be over for hawker
stalls here, but some are sticking to the price hikes they
introduced during the festive season.
The stalls, selling everything from steamed fish head and popiah
to Western fare and drinks, are a minority. But experts say their
actions could spark a new round of price increases.
A Straits Times check of 206 stalls at 14 food centres yesterday
found that 15 have raised their prices permanently.
At the Old Airport Road hawker centre, main courses at Western
food stall International Cuisine now cost up to $1 more. A plate of
battered prawns, for instance, now costs $7, up from $6.
Its owner Gene Lee, 50, who raised prices on Thursday, said:
'The cost of ingredients has gone up. Even prices of takeaway
containers have increased.'
A neighbouring stall now sells popiah at $1.30 per roll, up from
$1.20 two days ago. This price will stay as long as the cost of
turnips remains high, said the stall's 52-year-old owner, who wants
to be known only as Madam Chen.
