In response to increased demand, Zulazrai Zokapaly, a veteran vendor of lemang bamboo, is planning to boost supply to 60,000 stems this year compared to 35,000 last year.
Having been in the business for five years, Zulazrai sources the bamboo from Raub, Pahang, and currently caters to the needs of around 50 lemang vendors in Melaka, Negri Sembilan, as well as Muar and Tangkak in Johor.
“Last year, we started selling in the middle of Ramadan, but this year we began at the start. The demand is very high, and we will stop taking orders about five days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” he said.
“Currently, we have orders for 37,000 bamboo stems, with the largest order being 10,000 stems. We also provide smaller quantities if required,” he informed the press at his business premises in Pokok Mangga on Sunday (March 24).
A Melaka native, Zulazrai mentioned that 20,000 stems have been delivered by suppliers so far, with the remainder expected to be delivered in four installments starting this Monday (March 25).
Explaining the pricing, he stated that the wholesale rate is RM1.30 per stem for purchases of 1,000 stems or more, and RM1.50 per stem for smaller quantities.
Zulazrai, who sees this business as a way to supplement his income during Hari Raya, prefers bamboo from Raub, Pahang, highlighting its superior quality with consistent lengths ranging from 43 to 45 centimeters.
He shared his experience with bamboo sourced from Kelantan and Terengganu, noting that they were shorter at 33 to 35 centimeters, making them less favored among lemang vendors. Alongside his bamboo trade, he also operates a sugarcane business and sells health products online.
Targeting gross sales of RM70,000 to RM80,000 this year, Zulazrai pointed out the various risks involved in the lemang bamboo business, such as the potential damage caused by hot weather.
With the current hot weather in Melaka, he mentioned the necessity of watering the bamboo at least five times a day to maintain adequate moisture levels and prevent cracking or splitting.
Upon arrival, the bamboo undergoes sorting and separation based on length, diameter, and quality before being bundled for sale. Zulazrai noted that around 600 out of every 10,000 stems received are usually damaged and broken, which cannot be returned or exchanged as they are bought wholesale.
Additionally, he revealed that he has 4,000 lerek leaves in stock for sale at RM0.50 each, which are utilized in the preparation of lemang.- Bernama
