Rising rice prices threaten Singapore’s affordable hawker food

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Published Jun 16, 2026

A sharp rise in rice prices across Asia is putting pressure on food vendors in Singapore, where affordable meals are a cornerstone of everyday life.

At a hawker stall in Toa Payoh, one of the city's traditional neighbourhoods, customers continue to queue for nasi lemak, a popular dish whose price has remained unchanged for decades.

But rising costs are becoming increasingly difficult to absorb. Thai white rice, a key benchmark for Asian rice prices, surged by 20 percent in May, marking its steepest monthly increase since 2008.

Supply disruptions linked to the near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, along with higher fuel and fertiliser costs, are affecting rice production across the region.

Asia accounts for around 90 percent of global rice consumption, making it particularly vulnerable to price shocks and raising concerns that many small food businesses may struggle to survive.
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