THERE has not been an easy return to normal life after the Covid-19 pandemic for roti paung sellers in Terengganu.

For these small entrepreneurs of this popular bun in the state, their business continues to suffer from the Covid-19 lockdowns and the increasing cost of raw materials.

Roti paung – also known as roti paun – is popular in Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Sabah and Sarawak. It is an empty bun that the locals eat by dunking in black coffee.

It is called roti paun because the bread is one pound in weight. Due to the east coast state’s dialect, the name changed from roti paun to roti paung eventually.

The sellers told The Malaysian Insight that the high prices of materials such as flour, eggs and margarine have forced them to increase their selling price.

On the flip side, they are worried that the price increase of their buns will affect their sales. As it is, their sales have dropped from the pre-Covid period.

A famous roti paung seller in Manir, Kuala Terengganu, Wan Mohd Ridhwan Wan Khalid, 45, spoke of the impact to his business, which he started in 2007.

“Of course, our sales have reduced. Before the lockdowns, I think we sold 600 packs of roti paung a day, but now the number has dropped to 500,” he said the seller.

Wan Mohd said that the slow reception may be caused by limited purchasing power among consumers who now face rising cost of living and are prioritising only necessities.

“Before the lockdowns, I would make 50% profit but now after the lockdowns that is reduced to 25% due to rising cost of materials.

“For example, previously, if I sold a product for RM4, I made a profit of RM2. Now, I can only make RM1 if I maintain the same selling price as material costs have increased,” he said.

He said that his roti paung is sold at RM4 currently, and he admits the possibility that the price will increase soon.

Another roti paung seller in Kuala Terengganu, Tarmizi Mat Jusoh, 37 said that he is conflicted whether he should increase the price of his buns.

“I’m at a loss now as business is very slow. I don’t know whether I should increase my price or not.

“If I don’t increase the price, I will suffer a loss. For example, the price of margarine used to be RM77 a pack. Now it’s increased to RM100 although I’ve searched high and low for cheaper ones. That doesn’t include yet other costs,” said the seller who began his business in 2002.

He is worried that raising prices will make him lose customers.

“Now the reception is not so encouraging. Before I managed to sell 300 packs during the third and fourth day of raya. This year I only sold 150 packs.

“On normal days I only sell around 80 packs. Some days, there are still leftovers,” he said.

Another roti paung seller, Nor Hashima Mamat, 49, who has his outlet in Marang, said that he initially sold his bread at RM3.50 — the lowest compared to other sellers — but now has to raise prices.

“After the lockdowns, I had to increase my price due to rising costs. It gets worse as the price of materials seem to change every day. As sellers we are not sure what to do,” he said.

Nor admitted, like the others, that he feels guilty for having to raise his prices which may cause him to lose customers.

At the same time, Nor said he had tried to double his sales by increasing the quantity on weekends and public holidays.

“I have to do that. If not, there is no profit. On normal days, sales are low , but on weekends and public holidays, I will tell my workers to make more bread.

“Most buyers are outside visitors, tourists, as my store is located by the main road and is quite popular on holidays,” he said. – May 17, 2022.