Last updated: March 2024
Key Takeaways:
- High living costs affect fruit prices in Singapore.
- Bananas, apples, and oranges are among the cheapest fruits.
- Wet markets offer fresh, affordable fruit options.
Is fruit cheap in Singapore?
In Singapore, a country with limited natural resources, fruit prices are influenced by import dependency, making some varieties costly. However, affordable options do exist, particularly bananas, apples, and oranges, known for their nutritional value and lower price points. For the best deals, wet markets such as Tekka, Chinatown, and Geylang Serai are recommended for their fresh and reasonably priced produce, with early visits potentially yielding the best bargains.
Here are some of our top picks on:
- The scarcity of land and other natural resources in Singapore is one of the primary contributors to the city-state's already high cost of living, which continues to rise.
Why has the price of fruit increased in Singapore?
The labor shortages, transport difficulties, oil price rises, and supply chain snags that have afflicted other sections of trade throughout the pandemic are some of the causes for increased produce prices.
Also contributing to the higher pricing is the fact that demand is higher than supply.
Read also: Cheap Fruit Basket Delivery in Singapore for Healthy Goodness Straight to Home
What are the cheapest fruits that you can buy in Singapore?
Here is a list of some of the most affordable fruits in Singapore that are also packed with nutrients and can be easily found in grocery stores and marketplaces throughout the country.
1. Bananas
Bananas - Cheap Fruit in Singapore (@dosesdiariasdeamorr)
Bananas are widely regarded as the world's least expensive fruit due to the fact that they are relatively simple to cultivate and may reproduce asexually.
Singapore imports our bananas mainly from Philippines, Malaysia, Ecuador, Vietnam and India.
This indicates that each banana tree is essentially a clone of the one that came before it, and that each individual banana has the same flavor.
The rapid rate at which bananas go bad contributes to their status as the industry's most affordable fruit.
In spite of its low cost, it is recognized for being an excellent source of potassium, in addition to containing a great deal of other vitamins and minerals. Bananas are another food that can assist in maintaining normal glucose levels.
Banana variants you can find in Singapore:
- Pisang raja
- Pisang berangan
- Pisang mas
- 40-day bananas
- Pisang rastali
- Pisang kepok
- Pisang merah
- Kerala bananas
- Cavendish
- Plantains
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2. Apples
Apples - Cheap Fruit in Singapore (@may_everything_be_wonderful)
The positive benefits that apples have already been proven to have on weight reduction and blood sugar regulation are primarily attributable to the 3 g of fiber that are included in a single medium apple. Apples also have a low amount of calories.
They are a simple and easy meal to incorporate into your diet, and they are most commonly eaten as a snack as well as sliced up and added to salads.
In addition, apples contain a good amount of vitamin C, B vitamins, and trace minerals, in addition to a number of other antioxidants. Consuming them on a daily basis may help reduce inflammation, which would be a major contributor to the risk of developing a number of different chronic diseases.
Common apples sold in Singapore:
- Ambrosia
- Cameo
- Empire
- Envy apple
- Fuji apple
- Gala
- Granny Smith
- Honeycrisp
- Jazz
- McIntosh
- Pacific Rose
- Pink Lady
- Red Delicious
Learn more: Is Gold Cheap in Singapore?
3. Oranges
Oranges - Cheap Fruit in Singapore (@_tastyblend)
Orange is a common type of citrus fruit that is well-known for the high amount of vitamin C that it contains. Recent research has also demonstrated that oranges have qualities that are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidative.
Either by squeezing them into freshly squeezed juice or slicing them, they are delicious in either form.
Where to Buy Fresh and Affordable Fruits in Singapore
1. Tekka Wet Market
Tekka Wet Market - Cheap Fruit in Singapore (@antox_in_sg)
The Tekka Wet Market is thought to be the oldest wet marketplace in Singapore. It is also the largest and most convenient of all the wet markets there. The prices will most certainly blow your mind.
In contrast to the majority of other markets, which close their doors at midday, this market remains open until the late afternoon. Because the majority of stall owners think that being the first customer of the day brings good luck, they are likely to accept your agreed price.
On most Mondays, the market is closed so that it can be cleaned.
Address: 665 Buffalo Rd, L1 Tekka Center, Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 210665
Related: List of Urban Farms in Singapore
2. Chinatown Wet Market
Chinatown Wet Market - Cheap Fruit in Singapore
This marketplace is booming with Chinese ingredients and other spices, as well as fresh fruits, vegetables, and even some kinds of meat. In addition to that, there is a live seafood and unusual food counter where you can buy things like eels, frogs, and turtles.
In addition to offering fresh food, it is well-known for the enormous selection of goods that are available for purchase. This store carries everything that you will require in order to cook a delicious and authentic Asian lunch for your loved ones and close friends.
Make sure you know which stalls are open and which ones are closed before you go on Monday. In addition, the well-known food stall that is a Michelin star, Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodles, can also be found within the same complex.
Address: 335 Smith St, Chinatown Complex (U/C), Singapore 050335
Learn too: Cheap Meat Suppliers in Singapore for Fresh Meat Cuts
3. Geylang Serai Wet Market
Geylang Serai Wet Market - Cheap Fruit in Singapore (@jayzee99)
One of the numerous ways in which Singaporeans appreciate the culture of Malaysia is by visiting this wet market, which was constructed in the traditional Malaysian style.
The market was given a makeover between 2009 and 2010, although despite its cleaner appearance, it still exudes all of the Malay customs and flavors for which it is famous.
You can shop here for fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood. You won't find any pork here because of the establishment's reputation for serving halal food.
The marketplace is also well-known for selling fresh fish at prices that are considered to be among the lowest in all of Singapore.
Address: 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001
How do you buy fruit on a budget?
Buying fruit on a budget in Singapore is easy to do with a few simple strategies. Shopping at local wet markets and hawker centers is a great way to find fresh produce for cheap.
A bonus of shopping at these places is the opportunity to haggle and get the best price possible.
Also, look around for stores with weekly promotions or discounts that offer higher-quality fruits for lower prices. These can be found in both supermarkets and online such as NTUC or Seng Siong.
Finally, whenever possible, choose in-season fruits, as they tend to be cheaper than out-of-season choices. By using these tips and shopping smart, you'll be able to buy fresh fruit on a budget in Singapore.
Why are Japanese fruits so expensive?
Japanese fruits are known for their high quality and unique taste, but they are also often much more expensive than fruits from other countries. There are several reasons why Japanese fruits are so expensive:
- Limited production: Many Japanese fruits are grown in small quantities and are only available during a limited season, which can drive up the price due to high demand and limited supply.
- High standards: Japanese fruits are known for their high quality and are often subject to strict quality control standards. This can increase the cost of production, which is reflected in the higher price of the fruit.
- Labor costs: Labor costs in Japan are generally higher than in other countries, which can contribute to the higher cost of Japanese fruits.
- Transportation costs: Japanese fruits are often transported long distances to reach markets in other countries, which can increase the cost of the fruit due to transportation and handling costs.
- Cultural significance: In Japan, fruit is often given as a gift or used in ceremonial occasions, and it is considered a luxury item. This cultural significance can also contribute to the higher cost of Japanese fruits.
Overall, Japanese fruits are expensive due to a combination of limited production, high standards, labor costs, transportation costs, and cultural significance. While they may be more expensive than fruits from other countries, many people are willing to pay the higher price for the unique taste and high quality of Japanese fruits.
Why is Japanese strawberry so expensive?
Japanese strawberries are renowned for their exquisite appearance and sweet, fragrant taste, which many attribute to the cooler climate there. In Japan, these delicate berries are grown in purpose-built greenhouses in order to control the humidity and temperature, requiring additional investments in labor and equipment.
Furthermore, the expensive issue arises from the highly limited supply of Japanese strawberries, which is carefully grown during the winter months.
Different varieties of Japanese strawberries also contribute to the cost; for example, the Japanese Amaou Ichigo - あまおう variety is particularly sought after for its large size and attractive shape.
Ultimately, the combination of a high demand and the extra investments in labor, equipment, and the limited seasonal growing period make Japanese strawberries some of the most expensive in the world.
Is Fruit Cheap in Singapore?
Because Singapore is dependent on other places of the world for the supply of natural resources like foods, many fruits in Singapore are more expensive than others because of this dependency.
However, despite the high prices of food, you may still obtain fruits that are both fresh and affordable in the locations that were listed above.
When you travel to these marketplaces, make sure that you arrive early because the majority of the merchants provide extremely generous discounts to the first client of the day. This is because the vendors believe that the first customer of the day will bring the business luck.
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