How Some Bak Kwa Shops Keep Prices Down Ahead Of Chinese New Year
Stores selling barbecued pork slices have started adjusting their prices ahead of Chinese New Year celebrations later this month, as ingredients become more expensive.
The savoury-sweet-smoky jerky is a staple in many households during the festive period.
With prices usually on the rise in the lead-up to Chinese New Year, some sellers say they are exploring ways to cut production costs and keep prices stable. These include bulk ordering ingredients and using renewable energy sources.
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Higher cost of ingredients
As of Sunday (January 5), some bak kwa sellers such as Century Bakkwa have not yet increased their prices as compared to last year.
Others like Bee Cheng Hiang have raised their prices slightly.
How some shops lower bak kwa prices amid inflation
Meanwhile, Fragrance Bak Kwa, which has managed to lower its prices compared to last year, said it has been able to keep costs low by turning to innovative ways of production.
“We are using different kinds of technology to help us, like using solar [power] in our factory to help reduce the costs and to manage the costs better,” said Mr CK Tan, director of operations at Fragrance Bak Kwa.
“Also, we normally pre-order our meat, so we try to get the best price for our pork to keep the price reasonable for our consumers.”
How other stores keep their prices stable
Century Bakkwa told CNA that even though ingredient costs are soaring, they have no plans to raise prices. It currently pays $45 for a kilogram of the more premium Spanish Iberico pork, up from $39 in previous years.
Instead, it hopes its new products will help draw in more customers. The store offers a sugar-free bak kwa option suitable for people with diabetes or those looking for a healthier alternative, said the brand’s owner Simbian Chua
“[There may be] diabetic or elderly patients who really have a craving for bak kwa, but they haven't eaten it for maybe the past 20 years.”
Simbian is hopeful that Century’s new offerings will result in sales that are about 25 per cent higher than the same period last year.
The original version of this story first appeared in CNA.
For more CNA Lifestyle stories, visit https://www.channelnewsasia.com/.
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