Four out of five public housing tenants surveyed in Hong Kong have said prices at wet markets at their estates are higher than elsewhere, with a concern group pointing to a lack of business as the reason.

The Alliance for the Monitoring of Welfare and Planning at Public Housing Estates polled 700 residents from 40 estates between September 12 and October 16.

Close to 80 per cent of respondents said prices were higher at the local wet market than elsewhere. Fifty-three per cent described the prices as “relatively expensive” and 25 per cent considered them “much more expensive”.

Only 20 per cent felt there was little price difference compared with nearby markets, while 2 per cent said items were cheaper.

The alliance said a “vicious cycle” contributed to higher prices.

“With fewer options in the wet market, people go elsewhere for their groceries,” it said. “This leads to decreased sales, forcing stalls to raise their prices due to reduced business.”

About 2.16 million people were living in public rental housing as of the second quarter of 2022, according to the government.