• ‘Live’ tiger prawns to be sold at about half the price of current market prices
• Demand for prawns were high, even in 2022 when safe measurement restrictions were in place –  sales of chilled and frozen prawns rose 20% in month leading up to Hari Raya Puasa

SINGAPORE, 18 April 2023 – In an effort to meet the growing demand for seafood during festive periods, FairPrice Group (FPG) has arranged for 3,000 kilograms of ‘live’ prawns to be made available at selected stores from 19 to 21 April, leading up to the Hari Raya Puasa public holiday. 

The ‘live’ tiger prawns will be sold at $19.90 / kg, half the price of the current market price for ‘live’ prawns at $39.90 / kg based on FPG’s own market price assessments.

Over the past year, prices of prawns – including frozen, frozen thawed and chilled prawns – have increased by 15 to 20 percent due to various factors including higher cost of prawn feed, logistics, manpower and inflation.

Mr Tng Ah Yiam, Chief Procurement Officer, FairPrice Group, said “We know that economic conditions are not exactly rosy right now. This initiative to bring ‘live’ prawns right into the heartlands at lower than market prices is part of our ongoing commitment to help moderate the cost of living by working with farmers and our suppliers to keep costs as low as we can. We also hope this helps to bring some extra cheer to the community as we celebrate Hari Raya Puasa with our Muslim customers.”

This follows an initiative in January this year where FPG also provided ‘live’ prawns over the Lunar New Year period, where over 3 tonnes of ‘live’ prawns were sold out in three days at selected stores. 

“Revenge” celebrations expected; following the lifting of COVID-19 safe management restrictions

The upcoming Hari Raya Puasa festive period is Singapore’s first major ethnic public holiday since Dorscon Green was declared on 13 February this year. Over the past three years, Singapore residents had to endure safe management measures due to COVID-19. These measures restricted the number of visitors families could host during festive periods. It is expected that with the lifting of restrictions, the community will gather and celebrate in force with home feasts where there will be greater demand for premium ingredients like seafood; including prawns.

In 2022, even with safe management measures in place, sales of chilled and frozen prawns increased by almost 20 percent in the month leading up to Hari Raya Puasa. With the lifting of restrictions this year, it is expected that demand for prawns will exceed that of last year.

‘Live’ prawns sold at frozen prawn prices across 3 heartland FairPrice supermarkets

FairPrice has specially arranged for ‘live’ tiger prawns (XL* size) to be trucked in overnight from across the causeway and sold at the following stores:

FairPrice @ Bedok (212 Bedok North St 1) – 19 Apr, 9am onwards

FairPrice @ Woodlands Civic Centre – 20 Apr, 9 am onwards

FairPrice @ Khatib (849 Yishun Ring Road) – 21 Apr, 9 am onwards

Approximately 1,000 kg of prawns will be available for sale each day, while stocks last. Each customer is able to purchase up to 5kg worth of prawns.

*Customers can expect about 20 – 30 prawns for 1kg of XL prawns.