JOHOR BARU: The sale of kurma or dates, which has become synonymous with Ramadan, appears to have dropped this year despite the reopening of the borders.

       Amir Pasha Mustapha Pasha, 30, who is the director of a company selling dates, said he was surprised over the slow sales this Ramadan.

       “I was confident that sales would increase this year as the border is now open and the Covid-19 situation has improved.

       “Unfortunately, business seems to have dropped quite significantly and I am still puzzled by it,” he said, adding that sales had dropped by at least 40% compared to last year.

       A worker at a shop selling dates in Bandar Baru Uda, Hafifiy Ibrahim, 22, agreed, adding that it had yet to see an influx of Singaporeans.

       “We have some Singaporean customers but the number is still very low.

       “Although we had to depend solely on local customers last year, sales, especially online, were way better,” he said.

       Shop owner Siti Salmah Abdul Wahah, 46, said she was not seeing much profits this year.

       “Thankfully, we do have regular customers and we also supply dates to some home-based online businesses.

       “These sales have helped us maintain our business.

       “However, we do not see things improving yet,” she said, adding that she hoped to see better days next Ramadan.

       Another worker, who only wanted to be known as Aman, said it would take at least five months for the situation to return to pre-pandemic times.

       “The reopening of the border was on April 1, which is a bit late for the sale of kurma.

       “People normally buy dates ahead of the fasting month, especially Singaporeans who prefer to make early preparations,” he said.