Egyptian markets are preparing for the Prophet’s Birthday candy season, coinciding with the approaching date of celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, amidst movements by producers and merchants to meet the demand, at a time when the prices of a number of items have risen in varying proportions, while the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade has offered quantities of candy at reduced prices through its outlets and consumer complexes, to provide price alternatives to consumers.
The prices of Mawlid candy vary according to the type of candy, the quality of the materials, the size of the package, and the place of sale. Estimates from one of those working in the sector indicate that prices will rise this season by rates ranging between 20% and 30%, with expectations that offers and discounts will appear on some items as the Mawlid date approaches and the season ends.
The Ministry of Supply, through the General Company for Greater Cairo Bakeries, began offering Mawlid sweets in its outlets in Cairo and Giza, in addition to consumer complexes and branches of companies affiliated with the Ministry. Prices start at 175 pounds ($3.43) for a plain Lux package weighing 1 kg, and reach 1,350 pounds ($26.51) for a luxury package with nuts weighing 5 kg, with prices varying according to the weight and type of package.
The Ministry allowed the exchange of Mawlid sweets as part of bread points difference items on ration cards, in addition to continuing to provide a range of Eastern and Western baked goods and sweets in its outlets.
Muslims celebrate the Prophet’s birthday on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal of every Hijri year, in commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. The celebrations vary from one country to another, as the Egyptians’ celebrations of the Prophet’s birthday are linked to customs dating back to the Fatimid era, including buying and distributing types of sweets, before this custom developed over the centuries into one of the most prominent aspects of celebrating the occasion in the country, in addition to holding religious celebrations, remembrance, and attending councils that deal with the Prophet’s biography.
Head of the Sweets Division at the Dakahlia Chamber of Commerce, Medhat Al-Fayoumi, said that the prices of Mawlid sweets rose this year by about 20% to 30%, despite the decline in the price of a ton of sugar from levels ranging between 28,000 and 30,000 pounds ($549.77 to 589.04) last year, to about 20,21.5 thousand pounds ($392.70 to 422.15) currently.
Al-Fayoumi explained, in exclusive statements to CNN, that the prices of candy are not determined according to the price of sugar alone, as in return the costs of a number of production and operating inputs have increased, including cardboard containers, packaging materials, and paper, in addition to electricity, water, gas, labor, and administrative expenses.
Al-Fayoumi said that the prices of nuts did not witness an increase compared to last year, explaining that the cost of raw materials varies according to their type, as the prices of pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews, and almonds differ from raw materials such as sesame, chickpeas, and peanuts. Also, the rise in the cost of electricity during the year increased the operating burden on producers, which was reflected in the cost of producing birth candy and the price of selling it to the consumer.
He pointed out that the government offered different alternatives to consumers through the Ministry of Supply outlets and others, in light of the diversity of income levels and purchasing power, noting that the prices of sweets also differ from one region to another according to operating costs, the location of the store, and the target segment.
The head of the Giza Chamber of Commerce, Osama Al-Shahed, said that sugar does not represent the most influential component in the cost of Mawlid candy, especially in varieties that rely on nuts, such as almonds and nuts, noting that the decrease in the price of sugar was not enough to compensate for increases in other items of cost.
Al-Shahed explained, in exclusive statements to CNN Arabic, that the high cost of labor was one of the most prominent factors that put pressure on product prices, in light of the increase in the costs of living and the associated prices of food, housing, rents, transportation, and fuel, which was reflected in workers’ wages and operating costs.
He added that the variation in prices of Mawlid candy between selling places is due to the difference in the level of the product, brand, and raw materials used, in addition to the difference in operating costs, in addition to the fact that the market is primarily subject to supply and demand mechanisms.
Al-Shahed believes that competition between different sales outlets may push prices to decline in some cases as the birthday approaches, especially since birthday candy is a seasonal product, which makes merchants keen to dispose of the remaining quantities before the end of the season, and they may resort to offering offers and discounts to achieve this.
