Mooncake makers compete for share

HA NOI — The Mid-Autumn Festival is drawing near, and competition among commercial bakeries is heating up over market share in the traditional seasonal treat, the mooncake.

Two types of mooncake are sold – banh deo (sticky cake) and banh nuong (baked cake) – in different sizes and with a variety of fillings.

The second half of the year is busy for commercial bakeries, the time when they expand production and increase their business revenue, said Kinh Do Corporation deputy director Nguyen Xuan Lam.

This year Kinh Do planned to produce about 2,100 tonnes of mooncakes – about the same volume as in 2011, Lam said.

"But for this year, Kinh Do will offer some products of extremely high quality," he said. "They are called Golden Moon."

Bibica General Director Truong Phu Chien also said that this was the time of year that Bibica increased its revenues and profits. He expected that mooncakes would help his company increase its profits in the second half by 30 per cent. The company planned to produce about 525 tonnes of the treats, an increase of 5 per cent against last year, with over 50 varieties.

Smaller bakeries like Huu Nghi and Hai Ha Kotobuki are also striving to expand market.

Hai Ha general director Tran Hong Thanh said his company has targeted a 30-per-cent increase in revenue this season.

The Mid-Autumn Festival this year falls on Sunday, September 30. To ensure food safety for the festival, the Ha Noi People's Committee has instructed relevant agencies to co-ordinate in inspecting food processing facilities and sales vendors. Any violation of food safety regulations would be handled in accordance with the law.­ — VNS