IPOH: There is sufficient supply of pomelos for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
Trader, Law Voon Hing, 50, said there was no shortage of the citrus fruits this time, unlike last year.
“The weather improved and we have an abundance of fruits in Tambun for the Chinese New Year.
“In fact, we are able to export these fruits to Hong Kong and Singapore.
“Fifty per cent of the fruits are meant for export and the rest for local consumption. We are also sending these fruits to Johor, Penang, Melaka and other states,” he said when met at his shop, Ah Sai Fruits Trading in Jalan Ampang-Tambun here, today.
Law, who has been running his family’s business for five decades, said last year’s harvest of pomelo fruit dropped by almost half due to the rainy season.
“This time, we manage to sell more than 1,000 pomelo fruits per day and we have also been receiving visitors from outside the state and country to buy the fruit here.
“The fruit is priced between RM8 and RM30 depending on its size. Pomeloes are also gaining popularity as gifts during festive seasons and not just for the Chinese community,” he added.
Another trader, Chong Swee Lim, 54, said customers especially Chinese would buy pomelo two weeks prior to the new year festival but some even make a last minute preparation.
“The customers will buy a large-sized pomelo that still has leaves for use in prayers while the smaller-sized fruits are for consumption.
“There are two types of pomelo, the sweet white will be served to guest while the pink colour which tastes sour and sweet will be used to make Yee Sang,” he said.
Pomelo is called ‘look yau’ in Cantonese, which symbolises the abundance of prosperity.