WHEN the Hungry Ghost Festival rolls around in three weeks time, there will be lots of getai singers, noisy auctions and symbolic burning of Hell notes.

But one traditional offering will be conspicuously missing: there will be no canned braised pork, due to shortages of the meat.

Compounded by stricter rules, shelves in supermarkets are bereft of the product, which is usually included in hampers put up for auction at community dinners to celebrate the festival.

During the Hungry Ghost month, which begins in the seventh Lunar month, which is usually in August, worshippers believe that the gates of Hell are open to allow spirits to roam the earth in search of food and other necessities.

Food offerings are given to appease the spirits. And canned pork is one of the main staples.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.