If in previous years, at this time, the whole city of Vinh was flooded with the brilliant colors of kiosks displaying and selling moon cakes, this year the number of those kiosks has decreased sharply. Only at some key locations such as restaurants, large hotels and some main streets, do moon cake brands set up booths to sell.
As a famous and long-standing brand in the moon cake market, if in 2022, K.D had up to 30 display and sale points on the streets, this year, there are only 7 points of sale. Mr. Nguyen Trung Tuan, an employee of a K.D moon cake stall in front of Vinh City Central Park, said: "This year, the business has reduced the display points. It only displays at a few main points, the rest are for sale at grocery stores, consignment at restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and food stores in the area."
Not only K.D bakery but other big brands have also reduced their display locations this year, and the amount of cakes released to the market is also more limited than previous years.
According to a survey, this year, most types of moon cakes have increased in price compared to last year by 5 - 10%, due to the increase in input material prices. Specifically, for products in the popular segment, prices range from 50,000 - 120,000 VND/product. In addition to products with traditional flavors with fillings: Mixed, lotus seeds, salted eggs..., vegetarian and diet moon cake products are introduced to the market with flavors from green beans, almonds, black sesame, melon seeds, green tea...
Cakes for children with beautiful animal shapes cost about 45,000 VND/product. In addition, many types of high-end moon cakes are sold to serve the gifting needs with prices ranging from 500,000 VND to 5 million VND/box.
The selling price has increased, but according to records, purchasing power has decreased sharply this year, the moon cake market is less vibrant than in previous years. Mr. Vo Mai Thinh, owner of a confectionery store on Thai Phien Street, Vinh City, said: “This year, many big brands have come to sell moon cakes. However, due to the seasonality and low shelf life, if they cannot be sold, they will lose money. Therefore, I only import some types of cakes with moderate prices, suitable for people's needs.
Furthermore, due to economic difficulties, the demand for moon cakes as gifts is also low, many units and businesses have also reduced Mid-Autumn Festival activities, so the number of wholesale cakes ordered has decreased sharply. If in previous years, up to this point, wholesale orders for level 2 and level 3 agents have been completed; thousands of cakes have been supplied to agencies and units, this year, only retail sales are being made sporadically.
In addition to major cake brands, traditional moon cake factories in the province are also entering peak production season to serve market demand. Although input material prices have increased compared to last year, most factories have kept their selling prices stable. However, at this point, purchasing power is 50% lower than the same period last year.
“Although the price of input materials has increased sharply, based on a market survey, we decided to keep the selling price unchanged. However, due to the decrease in people's income, families tend to reduce the cost of non-essential consumer goods such as moon cakes. Up to now, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, but the number of cakes sold is less than half compared to last year,” said Mr. Nguyen Ba Xuan, owner of a traditional moon cake factory in Cua Nam ward (Vinh city).
If in previous years, when consumers often looked to buy handmade cakes, pre-ordering with fillings and crusts according to their preferences, causing "everyone, every household" to make moon cakes to sell, this year, the number of customers has also decreased sharply.
Ms. Kieu Oanh, an office worker who makes cakes on the side, said: “In previous years, after the 15th of the 7th lunar month, people were busy with orders for moon cakes, but this year, very few people ordered cakes. The orders were mainly from relatives, friends, and colleagues. They ordered cakes to burn incense during the week, enjoy tea, and sip, instead of concentrating orders on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Compared to peak years, this year, the number of customers decreased by 70%.”
On September 8, the Food Safety Steering Committee of Nghe An province issued Document No. 2834/BCĐ-SYT on strengthening food safety assurance during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2023. Closely coordinate with competent authorities to strengthen information, propaganda and education on food safety assurance during the Mid-Autumn Festival for all groups of food producers, traders and consumers.
In particular, focus on and prioritize inspection of establishments producing and trading confectionery, soft drinks, traditional foods produced in craft villages, small establishments, food service establishments, street food; Organize monitoring of the risk of contamination for items used a lot during the Mid-Autumn Festival to promptly communicate and warn of the risk of food safety.
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