Shopper said, "This year is quite simple, not like last year -- packaged with things that people usually don't want, such as wine."
Shopper said, "We didn't buy expensive mooncakes, just those that cost around one to two-hundred yuan."
According to the latest figures from the China General Chamber of Commerce, average-priced mooncakes, those less than 250 yuan, account for 85 percent of the market. Cakes costing more than 300 yuan only account for 10 percent. However, due to the price increase of raw material, some mooncakes are more expensive than last year.
Qian Zhixian, China General Chamber of Commerce, said, "In trying to keep prices stable, some products have variable prices, the range is around 7 percent."
According to the new rules about restricting the over-packaging of goods, there cannot be more than three layers on a package. And the cost of the packaging cannot exceed 15 percent of the sales price.
Shen Kui, Deputy Director Law Institute, Peking Univ., said, "Over-packaged mooncakes actually push consumers to spend more money to buy these products. The new rules will better protect consumers' interests."
Manufacturers that are found to have over-packaged their mooncakes could be fined up to 50,000 yuan.
(CCTV September 11, 2008)
