It's just two weeks to the Mid-Autumn Festival when most across China can enjoy a three-day break. But it won't be a holiday for entrepreneurs.
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival comes hot on the heels of the Beijing Games. And moon cake makers in Beijing and Henan province have combined themes from the Olympics and more traditional motifs in the latest packaging for their products. So you have the usual clouds, dragons and peonies alongside the Bird's Nest, with clouds below, and decorated with traditional Chinese knots.
One customer said "Making moon cakes based on the Olympic Games is a novel idea. It has become fashionable to give them to friends or relatives."
In addition to novel packaging, producer are experimenting with new flavors. For example, some have replaced soy bean oil with tea oil.
One seller said "They have sold very well since being put on the market. Especially those which have fruit in them."
But with costs in raw materials rising by 20 to 50 percent, many manufacturers are cutting costs by selling smaller moon cakes. Price rises have so far been controlled, so that they do not exceed ten percent.
Feng Fusheng, Deputy Secretary General of Shanghai Sugar Food Association said "Moon cake producers cut costs by making each cake smaller."
While in Hangzhou, stamps are also proving popular with many.
One customer said "Presenting stamps as gifts is better than moon cakes. It is more meaningful, especially if you give it to your elders."
Another avenue for business lies in tourism. With the opening up of travel to Taiwan, the Fujian capital of Fuzhou is now a new hub for travel to the island. And many agencies are cashing in on this, with special packages over the Mid-Autumn Festival.
(CCTV September 2, 2008)
