Rising fuel prices are hitting local market vendors hard, turning a beloved weekend ritual into a struggle for sellers and buyers alike
The hustle and bustle of Kirribilli Market is evident as soon as visitors step out of Milsons Point train station on a Saturday morning. The weekend market is popular with Sydneysiders for its mix of art, fashion, food and other goods.
But behind the small talk and shared smiles, there’s a quiet worry for both vendors and shoppers these days.
For many, the rising cost of transport is swallowing profits and disposable income, turning a beloved ritual into a struggle to make ends meet.
The Kirribilli Market features more than 220 stalls selling local artists work and recycled fashion.
It has been running for 50 years with its profits supporting the Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre. For many Australians, attending the markets is how they unwind during the weekends.
But since the US-Israel war with Iran began in late February, fuel prices in Australia have skyrocketed.
This is made worse by the country's heavy reliance on oil imports. Australia "now imports 90 per cent of its liquid fuel requirements," according to Dr David Lee writing in the Guardian. The high prices even prompted some to switch to electric vehicles.
Abigail Lutzen, an artist and printmaker who sells her work regularly at the Kirribilli Market, is feeling the pinch of rising fuel prices.
She sells framed one-of-a-kind prints, smaller prints and cards, but the costs of getting her goods to the market have increased by 40 per cent compared to the start of the year.
"I'm quite lucky because I live quite close to the markets that I'm doing, but I will feel [the impact] more in the middle of the year," Lutzen said.
Simply showing up has become expensive, with stall fees climbing to $165 per day and the rising cost of art materials.
"I have days that I sell [only] $12," she said.
The rising fuel prices also affect marketgoers. "Customers are taking more care about money and people are thinking three or four times before buying [my goods]," Lutzen said.
This is especially true for her as she sells art, something considered a luxury during an economic downturn.
Edrico Tseng, co-founder of Cha Cha Cha Matcha, has also noticed changes in marketgoers’ consumption patterns. He and his partner are regular vendors at the Kirribilli Market selling drinks like Japanese matcha and hojicha.
"Because of high petrol prices, people are not keen to drive too far away. Even if they love the markets or they like a certain area, they'll try to reduce the commute," he said.
Tseng has been hit by rising production costs too. In the food and beverage industry, there are costs such as milk, sugar, and other ingredients needed to produce the food items.
"I would say the cost has increased quite significantly, especially with how wide the country is spread out. You could be living in the west, but you're having a market in the east. That really plays a part in transport costs," Tseng said.
Both Lutzen and Tseng find themselves at the same crossroads, forced to reconsider whether selling at markets is still worth the trip.
But it’s not all bad news. Many Australians are cancelling their domestic road travel, flights and cruises because of the rising fuel costs, ABC News reports.
This shift is drawing more people to their local weekend markets as they look for ways to relax in a fuel-free way.
Ouji, a regular vendor at the Kirribilli Market selling Japanese matcha drinks, has noticed a 30 per cent increase in sales.
Brigitta Singgih, co-founder of Ouji, says she’s noticed more children at the markets, with "parents bringing their kids [and] babies". While the impact could be limited as consumers are less willing to spend, it could be beneficial.
In the meantime, Sydney market vendors are pivoting to keep their businesses going.
"I'm trying to create new things to keep attracting customers," Lutzen said.
Cha Cha Cha Matcha is also changing its strategy.
"[We’re] trying to keep prices affordable for people, but it will [definitely] have an impact moving forward if this doesn't get resolved," Tseng said.
