Raihan’s Grocery Game Plan: Tackling Rising Prices in Bedok
Fresh vs. Frozen Fight
Raihan Ibrahim, a 44‑year‑old homemaker from a five‑room HDB flat in Bedok, is feeling the squeeze as grocery prices climb, especially for staples like cooking oil and butter. She’s taken matters into her own hands by opting for frozen goodies over pricey fresh ones to keep the family’s spending in check.
One‑Dish Wonders
Beyond the frozen trick, Raihan’s got a bold move: she’s convinced her four‑person crew to power through meals with just a single rice‑based dish each time. “We’re happy with that. We don’t need two or three plates for every bite,” she chuckles.
Why the Shift Makes Sense
Even before COVID, Raihan was slashing the household’s grocery bill with this approach. In today’s climate of soaring energy and food costs, the strategy pays off. Singapore’s core inflation hit a 3.3% annual rate in April—the highest since February 2012—up from 2.9% in March, when excluding housing and transportation.
- Higher energy prices stress budgets.
- Food price spikes near record levels due to global tensions.
- MAS warns about ongoing impacts from the Russia‑Ukraine conflict.
With these measures, Raihan keeps her family fed without breaking the bank, proving that a well‑planned menu can soften the blow of inflation.
Egg prices up 32.4 per cent
Raihan’s Grocery Reality: Prices That Are Shaking the Wallet
What’s actually going on in the market?
When you pop into a grocery store in Singapore, you’ll notice that what used to cost a few bucks a month now takes a chunk out of your monthly budget. To get a feel for how much things have hopped up since before the pandemic, we pulled the latest Consumer Price Index (April 2022) and compared a handful of staples—rice, bread, eggs, cooking oil, and a few more—against their April 2019 prices.
The numbers speak for themselves: from a modest 1.6 % rise for Thai rice to a staggering 32.4 % jump for eggs. For the full rundown, check out this handy table:
| Item | April 2019 | April 2022 | Percent Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Thai rice (5 kg) | $13.22 | $13.43 | 1.6 % |
| Ordinary white bread (400 g) | $1.72 | $1.88 | 9.3 % |
| Whole chicken, chilled (1 kg) | $6.38 | $7.21 | 13 % |
| Infant milk powder (100 g) | $6.07 | $6.31 | 4 % |
| Hen eggs (10 pcs) | $2.37 | $3.14 | 32.4 % |
| Cooking oil (2 kg) | $6.02 | $7.25 | 20.4 % |
What’s driving these jumps?
- Rice. The price barely budged—just a 1.6 % rise—from $13.22 to $13.43 for a 5‑kilogram bag. Not too scary.
- Cooking Oil. It climbed nearly 21 % from $6.02 to $7.25. The culprit? Ongoing geopolitical drama—particularly the Russia‑Ukraine conflict—has a hand in cutting down global grain and oil supplies from the Black Sea region, according to news reports.
- Eggs. This one hit the top of the list with a wild 32.4 % leap—going from $2.37 to $3.14 for a dozen. The price spike stems mainly from higher costs of imported chicken feed, as egg suppliers from Malaysia and Singapore mentioned in recent interviews.
- Chicken. A solid 13 % rise has been seen, and the forecast looks grim. Malaysia is planning to stop exporting poultry from June 1st, which could push prices even higher.
- Bread. A moderate 9.3 % jump to $1.88. Not everything is a steep climb, after all.
- Infant Milk Powder. Just a modest 4 % increase—still a relatively small burden on parents.
Why does it matter to everyday Singaporeans?
For someone like Raihan, who’s used to the “price‑stable” days, these changes mean more careful budgeting and smarter shopping. A few extra bucks on eggs or cooking oil sneak into your expenses, but they add up—especially if you’re cooking for a family or planning meals for many weeks.
In the end, it’s a reminder that the price of food is not static. External factors—whether wars, trade restrictions, or supply shortages—can ripple down into the grocery aisle. So, the next time you’re tallying your fridge, keep an eye on those numbers. They’re not just figures; they’re a little bit of the world hitting your pantry.
We still have to buy
Raihan’s $50 Budget: From Comfortable to Barely Scraping By
Before the coronavirus hit, Raihan could grab one shopping list item and still had a tidy $14.22 left over. That was the sweet spot where a tidy wallet met a frugal lifestyle.
Fast forward to today – price hikes have sliced that cushion down to a meager $10.78. That’s a 24 % hit on her savings, and it’s not just a one‑off glitch.
What the Money‑Matters Cats Are Saying
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Management and Technology Institute (MTI) forecast that core inflation will keep pushing higher over the coming months, according to the Straits Times on May 22.
They expect the rise to ease by year’s end as some external inflationary squeezes recede. But for the average Singaporean, that means watching the numbers climb a bit longer.
Raihan’s Take: “We’ve Got to Buy, Whether We Like It or Not”
When asked by AsiaOne, Raihan admitted that despite soaring prices, she has “no choice” because these items are essential. “Whether they increase the price or not, we still have to buy,” she said with a shrug.
Helping Hands: Community Development Council Digital Vouchers
- All Singapore households can snag $100 in CDC digital vouchers, usable at over 16,000 participating heartland merchants and hawkers.
- Top‑up schemes: $200 will hit wallets in early 2023, another $200 in 2024.
- Major supermarkets are lined up for the next two years, making grocery shopping a bit sweeter.
Takeaway
Raihan’s story is a snapshot of many Singaporeans: a shrinking budget, a rising cost of living, and a constant need to manage expenses in real time. With the CDC vouchers and a cautious approach to shopping, there’s still a lifeline to navigate the financial waves ahead.
