Vendors were on the fence on Tuesday about how much revenue they would generate as people flocked to wet markets to buy food for their family reunion dinners.

Reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve is traditionally regarded as the most important meal of the year in Chinese culture.

One man said he spent over HK$1,000 shopping at the wet market.

“I picked up things like clams and shrimp. They are a little pricier this year, about 10 percent more than last year. But it’s New Year, so that’s expected,” he said.

A vegetable seller at Kowloon City Market said business was pretty rough overall, noting that lettuce was the only top seller because it symbolises the generation of wealth in Chinese.

But a poultry vendor at the same market was not worried about her sales.

“People usually buy one or two chickens and don’t mind the price. They are willing to spend big as long as the chickens are fresh. Whether it’s HK$300, HK$400 or HK$500 it doesn’t matter,” she said.

“During New Year, everything is a bit pricier and that’s just part of the festive atmosphere. People don't even bother asking about the price.”

Meanwhile, Simon Wong, president of the Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, said business activity for the catering sector was better than expected.

He said that while many Hongkongers travel to the mainland during the holiday, those who stay in the city are more willing to dine out.

“Overall, I believe business over the Lunar New Year holiday is more than 10 percent better than last year,” he said.