Dodol Makndak Aims To Open Factory This Year To Boost Production

By Danni Haizal Danial Donald

KOTA TINGGI, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Dodol Makndak, a micro-business operated by a female entrepreneur in Pontian, aims to open a mini-factory this year to boost production.

bootstrap slideshow

The owner, Halinda Haron, 50, stated that having this mini-factory will facilitate obtaining Halal certification and the Safe Food Certification Scheme for Industrial Responsibility (MeSTI) certification.

“We need a factory to make obtaining halal and MeSTI certificates easier. Currently, we produce dodol at the back of our house, so we plan to set up a more organised, clean, and comfortable mini factory that will also be accessible to customers.

“With the halal certification, we can market our products more widely. Although we are new to the market, our products have received positive feedback,” she told Bernama at her sales booth in the Desary Coast Conference Centre, where the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat will be held.

bootstrap slideshow

Halinda said dodol production is expected to increase from 800 kilogrammes (kg) to one tonne this year, compared to just seven kilogrammes (kg) in 2020.

“Our market is more focused on eateries and retail shops. This year, we managed to expand our market through participation in major events like this AEM Retreat.

“Online platforms such as TikTok have also helped us market our products. Alhamdulillah, even though we’ve only been in the market for five years, we’ve managed to achieve sales of three tons,” she added.

Halinda also noted that the rising cost of coconuts is the main challenge in dodol production.

She explained that the shortage of coconut supply has also contributed to increased production costs.

“The main challenge for 2025 is the rising price of coconuts. Previously, the price of coconuts was around RM1 to RM1.50 each. Now, it has reached RM2.60 to RM2.80 each, an increase of nearly RM80 to RM90 for every 100 coconuts,” she explained.

Despite these challenges, Halinda has maintained the selling price of dodol at around RM15 to RM30 per container.

“I want to keep the selling price the same because I don’t want to burden customers, especially dodol enthusiasts,” she said.

The AEM Retreat, scheduled for Feb 28, will be chaired by the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Related meetings will be held from Feb 22 to 27 in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” reflecting Malaysia’s aspirations to contribute towards strengthening an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN community.

Among Malaysia’s key agendas as ASEAN Chair are enhancing intra-ASEAN trade and investment as well as expanding economic cooperation and partnerships beyond the ASEAN region.

-- BERNAMA