Why are Mooncakes So Expensive?

On the 15th of August in the traditional lunar calendar, people all over the world hold a celebration known as the Mid-Autumn Festival in different forms. One of the most common things you will find during this festival is mooncakes.

These mooncakes come in all shapes and flavors, but they do have one thing in common—they're quite pricey. It is worth noting that high end brands such as Goodwood Park Hotel or Bing Liang Bakery Mooncakes do offer reasonable and affordable rates (Bing Liang also does free mooncake delivery. But with regard to all other sellers and brands, what makes these festive food items so expensive? Here are some possible explanations:

A high demand

The presentation and packaging of mooncakes have evolved a lot over the years. The competition in the market has forced manufacturers to come up with intricate designs for their boxes to catch the attention of the consumers. The demand for elaborate packaging dramatically increases production costs. This high demand is partially responsible for the high prices of mooncakes.

Branding

Branding is another factor that causes increase in the prices of mooncakes. Now, there are "premium" brands of mooncakes available and you can avail of these in high-class hotels and shops. Although these premium mooncakes taste a lot like the nondescript ones, a lot of people still opt for the branded versions.

Seasonal food

Another reason why mooncakes are so expensive is that they're not available all throughout the year. Typically, manufacturers only start producing mooncakes around the season of the Mid- Autumn Festival, therefore, the demand for this food item spikes when the season approaches.

Tradition

Finally, sellers also feel confident about the fact that they can sell all of their products within the Mid-Autumn Festival season because mooncakes are a tradition. These festive treats are frequently enjoyed by families who celebrate the event as part of their tradition. Nothing compares to mooncakes and this is why boxes upon boxes of these treats fly off the shelves no matter what they cost.

Where to get the best mooncakes and for how much

Most establishments that offer these mooncakes release information about their products and the prices of their products early on. This makes it easier for consumers to plan which mooncakes to purchase and where to get them. Here's a quick guide for you:

1. Raffles Hotel Mooncakes

The mooncakes offered here are so light and delicate that you might not even notice how much you've eaten in one sitting! Here are some of their bestsellers:

• Champagne Truffle (Snow skin) - SGD$108 for 8 pieces
• Cognac Truffle (Snow skin) - SGD$105 for 8 pieces
• Earl Grey Tea and Crunchy Pearl (Snow skin) - SGD$105 for 8 pieces

2. Goodwood Park Mooncakes

If you're a fan of durian, you can get mooncakes made with this ingredient here. Some of the bestsellers are:

• D24 Durian (Snow skin) - SGD$97 for 4 pieces
• Snowskin combo: (Snow skin) - SGD$91 for 4 pieces
• Mao Shan Wang Durian (Snow skin) - SGD$122 for 4 pieces

3. Peony Jade Mooncakes

In Singapore, the mooncakes from this establishment have a kind of cult appeal. Here are some of their bestsellers:

• Flaky Teochew “Orh Ni’ Mooncake (Baked) - SGD$109 for 4 pieces
• “LA VIE EN ROSE” Eight Treasures (Snow skin) - SGD$105 for 8 mini pieces
• “Mademoiselle PIGGY” (Baked) - SGD$109 for 4 pieces

4. Ritz Carlton Mooncakes

This establishment offers a lot of unique mooncakes. Here are some of their bestsellers:

• Mao Shan Wang Durian (Snow skin) - SGD$119 for 4 pieces
• White Lotus Seed Paste with Double Yolk (Baked) - SGD$116 for 4 pieces
• Mini Green Tea (Snow skin) - SGD$100 for 8 pieces

5. Shangri La Mooncakes

The selections here are perfect for those looking for more traditional options. Here are some of their bestsellers:

• Signature Custard with Bird’s Nest (Baked) - SGD$166 for 8 mini pieces
• Shang Palace Mini (Snow skin) - SGD$111 for 8 mini pieces
• Shang Palace Four Treasures (Baked) - SGD$111 for 4 pieces

6. Bakerzin Mooncakes

If you're looking for more affordable options, head on to this establishment. Some of their bestsellers are:

• Bakerzin Signatures (Baked) - SGD$41 for 2 pieces
• Inside Yolk (Egg Yolk Blend) - SGD$46 for 2 pieces
• Fruity Fun (Snow skin) - SGD$84 for 8 mini pieces

7. Mei Xin Mooncakes

Originally from Hong Kong, this establishment has come to Singapore much to the delight of the locals. Here are some of their bestsellers:

• White Lotus Seed Paste with 2 Egg Yolks (Baked) - SGD$104 for 4 pieces
• Lava Custard (Baked) - SGD$101 for 8 mini pieces
• Cha Chan Tang Snowy Mooncake (Snow skin) - SGD$22 for 4 mini pieces

8. Starbucks Mooncakes

If you're looking for Instagram-worthy mooncakes for yourself or your loved ones, get them here. Some of their bestsellers include:

• Traditional Mooncake Box (Baked) - SGD$83 for 6 pieces
• Assorted Mooncake Box (Baked) - SGD$83 for 8 pieces

Conclusion

As you can see, there are several reasons why mooncakes are so expensive. Despite this, consumers still flock to the shops and establishments to get their hands on boxes of these festive treats. Now that you have a better idea of the reason behind the high prices of mooncakes and where you can get them, planning this year's festival just got a whole lot easier for you!