THE fruit season has started to reach its end, and thus, seasonal fruit businesses are beginning to sell other foodstuff or products in order to continue their business.
Hj Ahmad, a local vendor at Tamuneka Kampung Masin and Mulaut, has slowly started to diversify his local fruit business into selling assorted local cakes.
"I am new in this business and to this place," he said, adding that the stall was just granted to them early this year.
Firstly, he said that he chose to sell local fruits such as durians, rambutans and kembayaus.
"This was because I have the advantage," he said, explaining that the fruits came from his small farm at his village.
"I don't have to commit to much expenses on getting these stocks. It is just a matter of reaping the yield," he said. But, according to him, slowly the fruits are getting lesser and lesser.
In addition, the competition that he is facing with fruits which are brought in from neighboring countries also contributed to sales factor.
"We have our own price for local fruits. But those fruits brought in from outside are sold cheaper," he said.
Despite the competition, he is still able to make an average sales of $200 per day just by selling his own grown local fruits.
But seeing that this is a seasonal business, he said that he quickly looked for other supplements for his business continuity.
And since his families can bake assorted local cakes, such as Ardam, Bingka and fritters, he sees this as an opportunity to diversify his business.
He said that selling these types of food can be very lucrative. "They are tasty and cheap," he said.
Also, this business requires small capital and the cakes can be sold at high volumes.So at this time, he is selling both local fruits and assorted cakes at his stall.
By the time the seasonal fruits are finishing, his cakes are already being established among his customers and they are starting to to purchase the different types of cakes available.
This is good for business continuity as "the rhythm and momentum is already there", he said.
The Brunei Times
In this picture, Hj Ahmad is seen with wife at his Tamuneka Kampung Masin and Mulaut stall selling seasonal fruits such as durians and rambutans. When the fruit season is over, he continues his business by selling assorted local cakes. Picture: BT/Bahrum Ali
Sunday, February 5, 2012
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