DEMAND FOR CHARCOAL TRIPLES AHEAD OF AIDILFITRI

BACHOK, March 26 (Bernama) -- The demand for charcoal has surged threefold ahead of Aidilfitri, largely driven by the increased need from satay vendors.

Charcoal producer Pazuriatiayu Paudin, 49, said that she and her husband, Mohd Nazri Sohor, 51, have been overwhelmed with orders, fulfilling more than 3,000 sacks of crushed charcoal since the beginning of Ramadan, for satay vendors around Kota Bharu, Bachok, and Pasir Puteh.

“We made early preparations by sourcing wood, such as rambutan, rubber, and dokong, from various places, either through purchase or donations from friends,” she said.

“The average price for the wood purchased is RM600 per lorry load, and, since the start of Ramadan, there has also been a high demand for charcoal from kuih-muih (snacks) makers and vendors selling grilled chicken, including honey chicken and roasted chicken,” she said to Bernama in Kampung Bukit Lipah, recently.

She added that charcoal is also in high demand among grilled fish and ayam percik vendors in Kuala Lumpur, with many coming personally to secure their supply.

Pazuriatiayu said that charcoal is sold at RM40 per sack, while in plastic packaging, it is priced at RM3 per packet.

The charcoal business is a legacy spanning over 40 years, passed down from her late father, Paudin Ismail. She has personally been involved in the industry for the past 15 years.

“There are 12 kilns (wood-burning sites) here, though only eight are currently operational, as the others have sustained damage and require repairs to meet customer demand,” she explained.

“The wood-burning process takes approximately two weeks for a smaller kiln, measuring 3.05 metres (m), and about three weeks for a larger kiln, measuring 3.96 m, before the wood transforms into charcoal. Throughout this process, the fire must be closely monitored to prevent the kiln from cracking or the flames from spreading,” she added.

-- BERNAMA