KUCHING: As the Hari Raya festive season approaches, many home bakers and bakery businesses are stocking up on essential ingredients to prepare traditional cookies and cakes.
One of the go-to suppliers for baking essentials in Kuching, Mama Trading, continues to serve its loyal customers despite challenges in the market.
Established 11 years ago by Wong Mee Hoon, 68, Mama Trading has grown to operate two branches, one in Petra Jaya and another in Kota Samarahan.
Specialising in bakery supplies, the shop offers a wide range of ingredients for cake making, catering to both hobbyists and professionals baker.
Compared to last year’s Hari Raya season, Wong noted that sales have remained relatively the same, though the rising costs of ingredients have impacted purchasing items.
“Prices have increased. For example, Golden Churn butter use to be less than RM30, but now it costs more than that,” she shared.
She also mentioned that not all products are selling out as they used to in previous years.
When it comes to festive seasons, especially Hari Raya season, butter and margarine remain the top-selling products, according to Wong.
There is also a growing popularity towards pistachios nuts, hence Mama Trading took the opportunity to sell them at their stores.
“Over the last two years, many new recipes have emerged, and people are consuming more pistachios because more recipes now include them,” she added.
To support its customers during festive seasons, Mama Trading negotiates with suppliers for lower prices.
“Suppliers often agree to lower prices but require bulk purchase, such as 100 or 200 cartons at a discounted rate,” Wong said.
However, securing stock remains a challenge, particularly this year.
Some ingredients they ordered from Peninsular Malaysia have not arrived, making difficult for the store to meet customer demand.
“For example, we could not find toasted coconut this year,” she said.
Wong observed that customers, particularly home bakers, have been purchasing ingredients as early as two months before Hari Raya.
Looking ahead, Mama Trading plans to expand its reach and credibility by obtaining halal certification for its baking products.
“We hope to get the halal certification as soon as possible, for our own baking products,” she added.
