GEORGE TOWN, March 1- As Ramadan approaches, many people are preparing for sahur and iftar by purchasing wet goods and kitchen essentials.

RTM crews conducted a survey at markets around George Town, where it was observed that while shoppers were still making their regular purchases, the volume of buying is expected to increase in the lead-up to Ramadan.

Faris Kasa, speaking to RTM, shared that pre-Ramadan shopping is a common practice, but it’s done with care to avoid waste.

"I buy wet goods for sahur and iftar thoughtfully, only what I need. I usually cook at home, but if I feel like going to the Ramadan bazaar, I’ll go. I find the prices reasonable," she said.

Azizah Khasim mentioned that buying raw ingredients is more economical than purchasing ready-cooked food.

"Today, I bought sardines for RM15 per kilogram. Cooking it myself gives me more satisfaction and saves money," she said.

Rosmawati Ali Rahman noted that buying in bulk saves both time and the hassle of dealing with large crowds during Ramadan.

"We prefer to buy in bulk, so everything is ready in the kitchen. We can just choose and decide on the menu later," she explained. "For cakes, we will visit the Ramadan bazaar but will only buy what we need to avoid waste."

Some shoppers emphasized the importance of careful budgeting to prevent waste and minimize the need for frequent market trips throughout Ramadan.

In addition to essentials, many people are also purchasing extra items like dates, milk, and cordial drinks to add variety to their iftar meals.