A couple takes a selfie in front of a food truck at Hong Kong Disneyland on March 15, 2017. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR GOVT)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong’s food trucks may become history amid the pandemic as the government said it is reviewing the effectiveness of the pilot scheme and does not rule out bringing it to an end.

The two-year pilot program that allows operators to sell snacks at the city’s major tourist spots was rolled out on Feb 3, 2017. It has been extended twice to February 2022. 

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said food trucks, as a tourism facility in Hong Kong, has “limited room for development” as they face a number of operation difficulties and keen competition

In a written reply to queries from lawmaker Yiu Si-wing, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah said food trucks, as a tourism facility in Hong Kong, has “limited room for development” as they face a number of operation difficulties and keen competition. 

In Hong Kong, food trucks are required to operate at designated locations and maintain certain distance with nearby catering outlets. Locations of food truck pitches should not cause obstruction to people or traffic flow and there should be electricity and other support services provided by the venue management for food trucks, Yau said.

“Food truck business is also significantly affected by the weather. Besides, there are many restaurants in Hong Kong and the competition is keen,” he added.

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The Tourism Commission is reviewing the scheme and “does not rule out the possibility of bringing the scheme to an end eventually,” Yau said.

Currently, 12 licensed food trucks are in operation under the Food Truck Pilot Scheme, down from 16 at the beginning.

Although the 12 trucks are allowed to run, only three to five of them on average were actually operating since the COVID-19 outbreaks erupted early last year. 

Eight of the designated spots for operation were closed for most of the time last year, including Hong Kong Disneyland and the Ocean Park.

Altogether, they generated a revenue of HK$2.67 million in 2020 and the first five months of this year.

Although all of the 12 places are reopened now, only four have seen trucks selling food there, despite an up to 75-percent rental concession granted by the government. 

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