Photo of the day No. 55 - Red Buckets in Hong Kong Markets
The story behind the usage of red buckets in street markets
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years - I know the place.
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Photo of the day No. 55 - Red Buckets in Hong Kong Markets
The story behind the usage of red buckets in street markets
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When is a red bucket not a bucket? why, when it is a red lamp shade | Strange Hong Kong icons that are simply common household items so to speak! and it came to light in a South China Morning Post video after a reporter took a private tour of Hong Kong and visited some street markets where these “icons” are plentiful - read on
I have lived in Hong Kong for 53 years, my wife (we have been together for 40+ years) is not Chinese but went to local Chinese schools and Cantonese is her native language, at least half of her huge family in Hong Kong is Chinese so I am familiar with Hong Kong Chinese Culture.
For me not a day goes by when I don’t learn something new or when something hiding in plain sight suddenly makes sense.
The South China Morning Post which is the premier English language news source in Hong Kong, sent out one of it’s young reporters on explore Hong Kong with a private tour guide named Angel, the tour was 6 hours and there is a short video available about what they did
Apparently there was an explanation of the iconic red bucket seen in Hong Kong Wet Markets and Street Markets, I have been taking guests to wet markets for 15 years now and I must confess that to me a bucket is a bucket, it has many uses, lasts for centuries and is about as interesting as a …. well, a bucket.
Not so according to Angel, the tour guide.
Now, I have been a business consultant since my late teens and I am familiar with plastic utensils in Hong Kong, there is one notable company in Hong Kong that makes them and supplies them (in Hong Kong and not China) and I visited their factory many times in the 1980’s they are called Star Industrial Co. Ltd.
I have two of their buckets and some large bowls at home.
One thing you learn here over the years is that things can attain an iconic status for no particular reason, we have had many restaurant closures here in the past 12 months and their passing was lamented in the press because they had a particular dish that is treasured by locals, I can understand this when it comes to someone that has been making for example egg tarts for 60 years but I would never had guessed that a simple red bucket has the gold award for iconic products.
So the conclusion seems to me that the red buckets and red lamps are in the category of visual cultural heritage.
… oh I forgot to mention, I have witnessed many times market traders using the red buckets to keep their money | takings, they have an elaborate pulley system to lower and raise the bucket when needed I hate to think of all the bacteria on the bank notes!
Yes, the Hong Kong Government has a department that lists iconic cultural items in Hong Kong (click on the link above) and it would not surprise me one bit if the red bucket is listed! and if it is not listed, then it should be
What is the purpose of the red buckets or containters commonly seen in Hong Kong Street Markets, what is the history of them and who is the manufacturer of them
This is what I asked AI
The prevalence of red buckets in Hong Kong’s markets, particularly wet markets, is tied to both practical and cultural factors, with a significant contribution from a local company, Star Industrial Co., Ltd., and its Red A Plastic brand. Here’s a breakdown of the reasons:
Star Industrial’s Red A Plastic Brand:
Star Industrial, a family-run Hong Kong company founded in 1949, has been producing Red A Plastic products for over seven decades. Their iconic red plastic buckets, cups, and other household goods are ubiquitous in Hong Kong’s markets, homes, and restaurants. These buckets are durable, affordable, and widely used by vendors for tasks like holding produce, soaking seafood, or cleaning stalls. The company’s focus on practical, mass-produced plastic goods made Red A a household name, with their buckets becoming a staple in wet markets due to their reliability and low cost.
Pragmatic Use in Wet Markets:
Wet markets in Hong Kong are known for their “wet” environment, where water is used to keep seafood alive, wash vegetables, and clean surfaces. Red plastic buckets are ideal for these tasks because they are lightweight, waterproof, and easy to clean. Vendors use them to carry, store, or display goods, contributing to their widespread presence. The buckets’ durability suits the daily demands of market life, where stalls handle fresh produce and live seafood.
Cultural Significance of Red:
Red is a highly auspicious color in Chinese culture, symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and prosperity. In Hong Kong, red is prominent in markets not just for buckets but also in decorations, lanterns, and lamps (many of which are also Red A products). The color’s cultural resonance makes red buckets a natural choice for vendors, aligning with the vibrant, lucky aesthetic of markets, especially during festive periods like Lunar New Year.
Historical Availability of Red Pigment:
After World War II, red was one of the few pigment colors widely available in Hong Kong, alongside green and white. This scarcity made red a practical choice for mass-produced goods like buckets and market lamps. Over time, red became a design standard for market equipment, reinforced by companies like Star Industrial. The association of red with freshness (e.g., making meat look more appealing under red lamps) further cemented its use in markets.
Local Manufacturing and Market Penetration:
Star Industrial’s San Po Kong factory produces over 1,700 items, including buckets, tailored for local needs. Their focus on affordability and functionality ensured that Red A buckets were widely adopted by market vendors, caterers, and households. The company’s deep roots in Hong Kong and its export success also reinforced the brand’s dominance, making red buckets a default choice in markets.In summary, the abundance of red buckets in Hong Kong’s markets stems from Star Industrial’s Red A Plastic brand, which capitalized on the practical needs of wet markets and the cultural significance of red. The buckets’ affordability, durability, and alignment with local traditions have made them a market mainstay, blending pragmatism with cultural symbolism.
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Star Industrial Hong Kong | Delivery Truck with the iconic A logo
In Hong Kong, markets are generally categorized as street markets (open-air, often temporary setups), wet markets (focused on fresh produce, meat, and seafood, either indoors or outdoors), and indoor markets (housed in permanent buildings, often including wet markets or cooked food centers). Exact numbers can vary slightly depending on definitions and sources, but based on the most reliable data available from 2024, here’s a breakdown:
Street Markets: There are numerous street markets across Hong Kong, often operating daily or on specific days (e.g., night markets like Temple Street). While no precise 2024 figure exists for all street markets, sources indicate dozens of notable ones, such as Ladies’ Market, Temple Street Night Market, and Chun Yeung Street Market. A 2023 source mentions at least 21 well-known street markets, and this number likely holds steady into 2024, though smaller, less-documented markets may push the total higher.
Wet Markets: Wet markets, which sell fresh meat, produce, and perishable goods, are a mix of street-based and indoor setups. In 2024, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) operates 74 public wet markets with approximately 13,070 stalls, a figure consistent since 2018. Additionally, there are dozens of privately-run wet markets, including those managed by The Link REIT and the Housing Authority. A 2020 source notes "hundreds" of wet markets overall, including 74 FEHD-operated, dozens of street-based, and others by private enterprises. No significant closures or additions were reported in 2024, so this estimate likely remains accurate.
Indoor Markets: Indoor markets include FEHD’s 74 public wet markets, 78 managed by The Link REIT, 22 by the Housing Authority, and a few by the Housing Society and other organizations, totaling over 200 indoor markets in 2024. These often house wet market stalls, cooked food centers, or other retail. The figure comes from a 2024 source noting the breakdown of management entities.
Summary:
Street Markets: At least 21 notable ones, likely more with smaller markets.
Wet Markets: Approximately 74 FEHD-operated, with additional private and street-based markets, totaling in the hundreds.
Indoor Markets: Over 200, including 74 FEHD, 78 Link REIT, 22 Housing Authority, and others.
I estimate that there will have been a small increase in numbers of markets since 2024 particularly the Government indoor markets
So that is a lot of red buckets and red lamp shades in use and I have to admit I have not see too many buckets in a colour other than red!
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When is a red bucket not a bucket? why, when it is a red lamp shade!
Purpose of Red Market Lamps in Hong Kong Street Markets also known as red buckets (it seems)
It seems that “red buckets” is a catch all phrase to cover any red plastic implement seen in our street markets!
Just to confuse you, red buckets is the term also used for the red lamp shades even though they are also referred to as "red market lamps" or "butcher’s lamps," they are primarily used as plastic lampshades to cover light bulbs in market stalls.
I am still trying to figure out how AI linked the red market lamps to red buckets and as you can see from the images above they go hand in hand.
Their main purpose is practical: they provide illumination for vendors, particularly in wet markets and street-side hawker stalls, to display goods like meat, fish, and vegetables. The red color is believed to enhance the visual appeal of fresh meat, making it look more appetizing under the warm glow. Beyond their functional use, these lamps have become iconic symbols of Hong Kong’s vibrant market culture, representing the city’s vernacular aesthetic. They are also valued for their durability and affordability, making them a staple in markets and even some homes and businesses.History of Red Buckets
The red market lamps trace their origins to the post-World War II era when Hong Kong’s manufacturing sector began to flourish, driven by immigrant industrialists from Shanghai. The red color became prevalent due to the limited availability of pigments at the time—red, green, and white were the most accessible. These lamps were first introduced by Star Industrial Co., Ltd. under their Red A Plastic brand, established in 1949.
Initially, Red A focused on practical household items like basins and pails, but the red market lamp became one of their standout products. Over time, as Hong Kong’s street markets evolved from itinerant hawker stalls in the Qing Dynasty to more structured markets in the 20th century, these lamps became ubiquitous. Their cultural significance grew in the 2000s with a surge in local identity movements, transforming them into symbols of Hong Kong’s heritage, celebrated in design exhibitions like Butcher’s Deluxe in 2011.Manufacturer of Red Buckets
The red market lamps are manufactured by Star Industrial Co., Ltd., a family-run company based in San Po Kong, East Kowloon, founded in 1949 by the grandfather of Jessica Leung, who now runs the company with her sister Veronica. Operating under the Red A Plastic brand, Star Industrial produces over 1,700 products, including buckets, cups, stools, and the iconic red lamps used in markets. While the lamps are not a top seller compared to their business-to-business products, they produce approximately 3,600 to 4,800 units annually. The company has maintained production in Hong Kong, unlike many manufacturers that moved to mainland China in the 1980s due to rising costs. Red A products, including the lamps, are celebrated for their durability and have become part of Hong Kong’s visual culture, with some items collected by institutions like M+.Note on Terminology
While the query refers to "red buckets," the context suggests you may mean the red plastic lampshades commonly seen in markets. If you specifically meant buckets (as containers), Star Industrial also produces red plastic buckets for household and market use, but these are less iconic than the lamps. If you meant buckets, their purpose is for carrying or holding goods, such as produce or cleaning supplies, and they share the same manufacturer and historical context. Please clarify if you meant containers rather than lamps, and I can adjust the response accordingly and yes, this is AI stating the blindingly obvious.
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
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