The Ramadan Payday: Timun Suri Traders See Profits Soar as Demand Peaks

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, timun suri (cucumber melon) traders at the Kramat Jati Central Market in East Jakarta are enjoying a significant business boom. The surge in demand has led to a spiked turnover and multiplied profits for many seasonal vendors.

Alhamdulillah (thank God), sales have been fantastic

One veteran trader, Mara (50), who has been selling the seasonal fruit for nearly six years, reported that he can move between three to four tons of timun suri in a single day.

"Alhamdulillah (thank God), sales have been fantastic. The market is buzzing with buyers every single day," he expressed, Tuesday (2/24).

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Sourced directly from Pandeglang, Banten, these seasonal melons are priced between Rp 5,000 and Rp 6,000 per kilogram, depending on their size and quality.

"When the sun is out and the weather gets hot, sales usually hit a high note because timun suri is the go-to ingredient for refreshing iced drinks," she explained.

For Mara, pivoting to timun suri is a strategic move, given its unbeatable market appeal during Ramadan. While he typically spends his days selling various vegetables at the Kramat Jati Central Market, he chooses to put his regular trade on the back burner for the month.

"I temporarily halt my vegetable business to focus entirely on timun suri while the season lasts," he added.

Meanwhile, Fariha (52), a regular buyer, shared that her annual Ramadan routine involves sourcing timun suri from the Kramat Jati Central Market to resell them at Lontar Market in North Jakarta.

"I make the trip here every day because the wholesale prices are hard to beat, allowing me to maintain a good margin for resale. I usually sell them for Rp 10,000 to Rp 12,000 per kilo. Alhamdulillah, I can still turn a tidy profit," she noted.