JEDDAH, 11 November 2004 — It is doubtful that many Saudis shopping for chocolate in preparation for Eid are concerned about the turmoil in Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer of cocoa. The deadly violence in Ivory Coast, which erupted Saturday, has shut down cocoa exports and closed ports that ship more than 40 percent of the world’s raw material for chocolate.
If the turmoil continues however, chocolate lovers here will probably feel the effect on prices soon, not that the prices have not increased already because of Eid.
Although they deny it, some chocolate store owners raise their prices as Ramadan comes to an end knowing that Eid is the peak of their sales.
“They take advantage of people buying chocolate for Eid and jack up the prices but not too much because of the competition; there are so many stores now,” said Maha Jifri. “Still, when you’re short on time and desperate to finish shopping Eid clothes and gifts, you’ll buy from whatever chocolate store you come across as long as it is good and has nice chocolate trays,” she added.
At one of Patchi’s branches, people were choosing their chocolate trays, tasting samples, and asking about prices. “Our sales double, triple and even quadruple during this time of year,” said the store manager to Arab News barely sparing a second while helping the cashier with the customers in line.
In all chocolate stores, people have the option of either buying a prepared tray or bringing their own tray to be filled with chocolate. At this Patchi store, Arab News estimated at least 300 trays brought by people to be filled and more were coming in.
“We started receiving orders for trays to be filled by the 20th of Ramadan, this is in addition to the hundreds we begin to prepare also around the same time,” said Hassan at Chocolate Corner store. “This is the season for chocolate sales, it is the busiest time for us,” he said.
Umm Ahmad entered the store and started checking the displayed trays and asking about prices, which range from SR200 to over SR1,000 depending on the size of the tray, the types of chocolate and sweets used and the presentation. The trays of all shapes and types may be silver, gold plated, crystal, pottery, anything that can be used to serve chocolate for guests coming by to congratulate on the occasion of Eid, a tradition enjoyed by everyone especially children.
“I buy my chocolate from this store because I know they have good quality chocolate and I like their trays,” said Umm Ahmad.
Not everyone can make the same claim about other chocolate stores that Umm Ahmad made about Chocolate Corner. With the pressure to sell their stocks of chocolate and make a profit for the year, some stores would consider this time of year their opportunity to do so at the expense of the customer.
“There is a chocolate store chain I went to buy chocolate from and when I tried it, it tasted old and some of the unwrapped chocolates were not appealing at all. You have to be careful,” said Roqayya Ali.
