Heatwave sends watermelon sales soaring, vendors double up on profits
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) recently reported that six districts across three states were at Level 1 (alert) following daily temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.
PASIR PUTEH - The hot weather that has hit the country in recent weeks has not only made people thirsty, but has also doubled the demand for juicy watermelon in Kelantan.
A fruit vendor in Kampung Padang Pak Omar, Selising, Yushairan Hashim, 33, said watermelon juice is now the top choice of customers who want to quench their thirst or soothe their throats, despite the price reaching RM3.50 per kilogramme (kg).
"For the past three weeks, the response for watermelon has been extraordinary at our second stall here, surpassing the demand for other fruits. Because of that, I increased the stock to 15 metric tonnes for several days of sales to meet high customer demand," he told Bernama recently.
To ensure uninterrupted supply, he procures watermelon from Johor, Perak and several other states since the harvest in Kelantan has been depleted.
Yushairan forecasts the high demand for watermelons will continue throughout the Malaysian summer, which is expected to end around September.
"For watermelon vendors, this is a much-anticipated period. Better profits this season can cover losses during the previous period of oversupply which led to dumping and price drops," said the vendor who started his fruit business in Kok Lanas three years ago.
Meanwhile, a worker at the same stall, Maziaton Abdullah, 52, said she had no problem satisfying customers who started coming in as early as 8am.
"The school holiday season, which is filled with weddings, also contributed to the surge in sales. Some customers buy hundreds of kilos of watermelons for their events," she said.
She added that watermelons are the top choice because their sweet and slurpy flesh is perfect for cooling down in the searing, steamy heatwave.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) recently reported that six districts across three states were at Level 1 (alert) following daily temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.
The areas affected are Larut, Matang, Kuala Kangsar and Perak Tengah in Perak; Machang and Kuala Krai in Kelantan; and Bandar Baharu in Kedah. - BERNAMA
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