PETALING JAYA: The costs of ingredients are waxing but mooncake vendors are making sure that everyone can still afford to buy these Mid-Autumn Festival goodies this year.
The Selangor and Federal Territory Ku Su Shin Choong Hung Chinese Restaurants Association recently announced that its members will not increase mooncake prices this year and will absorb all the rising costs themselves.
Yu-Ai Food Industries Sdn Bhd managing director Leong Kam Onn said prices of ingredients such as salted egg yolks, lotus seeds and winter melon candies had increased by 15% to 20%.
Nevertheless, he said some Selangor and Kuala Lumpur mooncake businesses had decided not to raise prices this year.
“We have decided to earn a little less this year. For instance, if we made a profit of RM2 last year, this year we’ll make RM1. At least we won’t incur losses, and it allows everyone, especially the working class, to afford mooncakes for the festive season.
“If we don’t make money this year, it’s okay; we’ll wait to profit next year when the economy improves.
“Furthermore, in line with National Day, we have already held a round of discounts and had a warehouse sale in early September. This year, we have increased our production by 15%,” Leong said, adding that many people tend to buy mooncakes at the very last minute.
KLT Food Industries Sdn Bhd, known for producing the famous Kum Lun Tai mooncakes, has not seen significant sales yet.
According to its director Steven Lum, sales only begin in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, and consumer spending on mooncakes will likely be observed in the next two weeks.
He also said the rising cost of mooncakes is primarily due to imported ingredients, and the devaluation of the currency has further increased production costs this year.
“However, we cannot accurately estimate how much more expensive production costs are, as mooncakes are still in production. We are optimistic about sales,” said Lum.
“Our mooncakes are available in major shopping malls, Chinese restaurants and banquet halls. Many people have also started buying mooncakes as gifts.”
With the Mid-Autumn Festival on Sept 29, major shopping malls offer various mooncake choices, from traditional to new flavours.
While visiting shopping malls, some sellers said the average price of the delicacy had risen by RM1 due to increased ingredient costs, with most of these mooncakes being produced by hotels.
Despite the increase in production costs, some hotels offer their members discounts.
For example, by becoming a hotel member and using a specific credit card for payment, customers can enjoy discounts ranging from 10% to 25%.
A seller named Sean said mooncakes had increased by RM1 this year, but their weight and quality had not decreased.
Although hotel-branded mooncakes are more expensive, their gift boxes are fashionably designed and come with freebies. Hotel mooncakes range from RM150 to RM539, with Musang King durian mooncakes prices being more expensive.
