Pineapple tarts

Ingredient, labour and operating costs have gone up some 30 to 40 per cent this year, but bakeries are absorbing the rise to keep pineapple tarts affordable for customers.

At Kele Bakery, each 700 g tin of pineapple balls or open-faced pineapple tarts goes for S$33.80, the same as in 2024.

The bakery has mitigated cost increases by locking in raw material prices in advance with key suppliers, said a spokesperson.

At Mdm Ling Bakery, a 400 g box of pineapple balls retails for S$21.80 before discounts, the same as last year.

Some bakeries, which could not absorb the rise in cost, are sourcing tarts from elsewhere.

These include Lek Lim Nonya Cake Confectionery, which is importing them from Malaysia.

Third-generation owner Gavan Sing said that the bakery will instead focus on producing its signature festive item, frozen pre-cut nian gao.

“That way, we are able to be unique as we are the only company in Singapore that is able to produce nian gao in this form,” he added.

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BTVISUAL: HYRIE RAHMAT, GARETH CHUNG, SIMON ANG, BT

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