MELAKA: A seasoned vendor of ‘lemang’ bamboo has decided to ramp up supply to 60,000 stems this year, following an increase in demand.
Zulazrai Zokapaly said last year, he received orders for 35,000 bamboo stems which were used by traders to prepare the traditional glutinous rice delicacy.
The 36-year-old, who has been in the business for five years, said the bamboo is sourced from Raub, Pahang.
To date, he has met the demand of about 50 lemang vendors in Melaka, Negri Sembilan, as well as Muar and Tangkak in Johor.
“Last year, we started selling it in the middle of Ramadan but this year, we started at the beginning.
“The demand is very high. We will stop taking orders about five days before Hari Raya.
“So far, there are orders for 37,000 bamboo stems. The highest order is for 10,000 stems. We also sell in small quantities,” he told reporters at his stall in Pokok Mangga yesterday, Bernama reported.
A native of Melaka, Zulazrai said the suppliers have delivered 20,000 stems so far, with the rest expected to be staggered into four deliveries.
He said the wholesale price is RM1.30 per stem for purchases of 1,000 stems or more, and RM1.50 per stem for smaller quantities.
Zulazrai, who is in the business to augment his income before Hari Raya, said he preferred bamboo sourced from Raub, emphasising its superior quality with consistent lengths, ranging from 43cm to 45cm.
“I used to get supplies from Kelantan and Terengganu but they were shorter – between 33cm to 35cm – which are lower in demand among lemang vendors,” said Zulazrai, who also runs a sugarcane business and sells health products online.
Aiming for gross sales of between RM70,000 and RM80,000 this year, he highlighted the numerous risks inherent to the lemang bamboo business, particularly the adverse effects of hot weather – which can potentially damage the bamboo.
Given the prevailing hot weather conditions in Melaka, he said the bamboo needs to be watered at least five times a day to maintain moisture levels and prevent cracking or splitting.
Zulazrai said upon arrival, the bamboo is sorted and separated by length, diameter and quality before being bundled for sale.
“Usually, over 600 out of every 10,000 stems are damaged or broken. We cannot return or exchange them as they are bought wholesale,” he said.
He also said he has a stock of 4,000 lerek leaves for sale at 50 sen each, which are used in making lemang.
