Statistics on Prolonged Vacancies for Hawker and/or Wet Market Stalls and Intervention Triggers for Stall Vacancies

Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what are the number and proportion of hawker or wet market stalls that have remained vacant for more than six months; (b) whether NEA has a defined period after which such vacant stalls trigger intervention; and (c) whether NEA allows or is considering changes to stall use or trade type where prolonged vacancies persist.

As of 31 December 2025, about 130, or 2%, of cooked food stalls and 280, or 4%, of market stalls across hawker centres managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and NEA-appointed operators have been vacant for over six months.

NEA monitors stall vacancies and assesses the need for intervention on a case-by-case basis. This may include changes to allowable trade types where feasible to improve the take-up of vacant stalls.