JEDDAH: Demand for confectionery — particularly candy and chocolate — is rising as Eid Al-Fitr approaches, with sweets a staple of celebrations across the Kingdom.
Serving sweets and nuts during Eid is a longstanding tradition, with households offering a variety of treats alongside Arabic coffee and tea.
In the final days of Ramadan there is increased demand for both local and imported products with shoppers flocking to stores in Al-Balad, malls and online platforms as they prepare for the holiday.
Abdulaziz Farhan, sales and marketing manager of a major chocolate shop on Jeddah’s Tahlia Street, said there had been a significant increase in sweet sales during the last few days.
“Companies, hotels and residents had already started placing orders for Eid sweets as early as the 15th day of Ramadan,” he said. “Our branches around here in Jeddah have recorded a 25 per cent increase in sales. We have to cater to a large number of clients who have booked their orders in advance for Eid.”
Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district is another hub for Ramadan and Eid shopping, with a variety of stores offering traditional and contemporary options for sweets and Eid gifts.
Sweet shop salesman Saeed Al-Yamani said: “Our sales have doubled in the period leading to Eid Al-Fitr, with purchases and orders usually surging during the last 10 days of the holy month and demand for sweets and chocolates increasing.”
Luxury Swiss and Belgian chocolates, priced between SR200 and SR400 per kilogram, are in demand alongside traditional sweets priced between SR50 and SR80.
“Eid is a time where we celebrate the end of Ramadan by welcoming family and friends to our homes. So, the tradition is to offer only chocolates, sweets and Arabic coffee,” Faisal Bawazeer, a private company employee, told Arab News.
“Eid is around the corner, and we all know no celebration is complete without some fancy chocolate or some delicious traditional Hijazi sweets.”
He added he tended to buy Eid Al-Fitr sweets for Eid Al Fitr earlier in Ramadan in order to avoid the crowds in Al-Balad and increased prices in the final few days.
