The Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee said on Sunday that it was told by a contractor in late March that it could not construct the towers because of a lack of staff and issues with the materials.

Yung Chi-ming, the festival committee chairman, said they have increased the budget by HK$40,000 to HK$130,000, yet the contractor still refused to take the contract.

With the absence of the three traditional giant bun towers, three drawings have been placed at the site where the towers normally stand, although a smaller tower used in the bun-scrambling competition is not affected.

"Regarding this year's handling, the committee will carry out a review later. Hope next year will be a better year!" the committee wrote on its Facebook page.