MOONCAKE vendors are optimistic that more people will be celebrating the Mid-Autumn festival this year, which is set to make a comeback after a two-year Covid hiatus.

They expect more families and friends to gather and celebrate the traditional affair, an occasion for coming together, feasting and sharing mooncakes. 

JMMcookies owner Eugene Tan believes this year’s market will be better than last year, because both their online and retail sales can be synchronised.  

“The Covid-19 epidemic and the movement-control order had completely blocked retail sales, so we could only focus on the online market.  

“This year, there are more than 50 locations to buy mooncakes at supermarkets nationwide.  

“There are more channels to sell our products, so I am optimistic about sales and quantity.”

He said after the Malaysia-Singapore border was opened, Malaysians were able come back to celebrate the festival, so the market is quite optimistic. 

Tan said that the company’s unique online sales method this year, includes getting celebrities to promote the goods through live broadcasts, which has attracted more attention. 

“Current trend shows the overall (sales) is gradually stable. The best sales locations are in Klang Valley, followed by Johor Baru and Malaysians returning from Singapore. So, you can see sales have grown significantly and the market as a whole is recovering.” 

He feels that despite inflation, there should be more consumers giving mooncakes as gifts. 

However, taking into account prudent spending, he said the company decided this year it will not increase the price of its hot-selling mooncake series and absorb the costs. 

“We will take small profits but look for quick turnover, and as long as we get online and retail sales, we believe we will be able to see profit. At present, the price of a box of mooncakes ranges from RM39.90 to RM80.” 

Kam Lun Tai Food Industries Sdn Bhd founder Lum Tuck Loy said that while inflation is present, many consumers will still buy the mooncakes.  

“In the past consumers bought three boxes, but this year it will be reduced to two boxes or one box for the festival.” 

He said that the increase in the price of raw materials has led to higher costs for mooncakes, so the average price of mooncakes has increased by 10% this year. 

“We can only make up for the shortcomings. At least this year, the business will definitely be better than last year, because all businesses are allowed to operate.”

However, he noted a labour shortage this year and with prices rising again, it is impossible to estimate actual mooncake sales.

“We are all looking at the situation and rushing orders. If there are only a few orders, we will stop work early.”

Khue Brothers Holdings Sdn Bhd executive director Raymond Khue said this year, the company cooperated with Tong Kee Bakery for the second time and decided to do the opposite and launch an upgraded version of mooncakes.

“Last year, two mooncakes were sold at RM52, and this year, four mooncakes were sold at RM138. 

“The price of the products has increased, but they are also more refined, attracting many small and medium-sized business owners to buy them.” 

He added that since the launch of their mooncakes at the end of July, orders from small and medium enterprises have accounted for more than 50% sales.

He believes that rather than lowering the price of the products, it is better to make the product more refined, so this year he spent more time on creativity and design. 

Khie also said that inflation has driven up prices, and everything from packaging, production and raw materials are costly. 

“As for whether it will affect more consumers from buying mooncakes, it is yet to be seen.” – August 25, 2022.