CNY Snacks Are Getting Pricier, But What If Your Pineapple Tarts Could Make You Money?

Ever done a double take at the price tag on your favorite festive treats? Yep, you saw that right—they’re practically  burning a hole in your wallet.

Take bak kwa, for example. A single kilogram can now set you back over $100. And it’s not just a one-off thing—several stores have hiked prices by another 10% this year, according to reports.

Why the spike? Blame the trifecta of rising costs for raw ingredients (think sugar, butter, flour), a festive-season logistics crunch, and manpower shortages. The result? Your Chinese New Year (CNY) snacks are more expensive than ever.

But skipping the snacks isn’t an option. CNY just isn’t CNY without pineapple tarts, love letters, and bak kwa. So, what if there were a way to soften the blow of rising costs—or better yet, turn them into trading opportunities?

 

Flip the Script: Earn From Your Snacks

While you’re stocking up on festive goodies, take a closer look at their key ingredients. Behind every pineapple tart or peanut cookie are commodities and industries that fuel these traditions. Let’s look at how your festive snacks can inspire your next trade.

Sugar

That sweet substance isn’t just a treat—it’s a tradable commodity. Global sugar futures are influenced by weather conditions, crop yields, and export policies. When there’s a strong harvest, sugar prices may dip. If a country suddenly places stricter export restrictions? Prices could rise. And of course, demand during festive periods like CNY will often push prices up as we’ve experienced. 

Flour and wheat

Behind your pineapple tarts and love letters lies a tradable commodity with fluctuating prices: wheat. Geopolitical events, seasonal harvests, and global supply chain disruptions all influence its value, creating opportunities for traders in the wheat futures market. These fluctuations let you take part in the action behind your festive bakes, making this staple ingredient much more than a pantry essential.

Packaging materials

CNY goodies don’t just taste good—they look the part too, thanks to their gorgeous, festive packaging. From shiny tins of pineapple tarts to sleek boxes of bak kwa, sometimes we’re guilty of buying them just because they’re Instagram-worthy. But here’s the catch: this demand for pretty paper and plastics sends activity in related industries soaring during the season, adding to the rising costs.

The lesson?

All these commodities and ingredients are actually tradeable, allowing you to get on these markets. All you need is the right platform that offers this opportunity. For instance, IG brings you access to over 13,000 markets via CFDs, as well as all the tools, insights, and education to  seize the trading opportunities around you—helping you trade more of your world.

Want a related stock or ETF? You can start by finding those that include packaging companies and capitalise on this seasonal demand.

The opportunities don’t end with pineapple tarts. CNY traditions are filled with moments that can inspire your trading portfolio too. 

 

More reasons to start trading now

If earning from your festive snacks isn’t sweet enough, here’s another reason to kick-start your trading journey with IG. Premier League Fans, this one’s for you.

Exclusive giveaway for Premier League fans

If you’re a Premier League fan, here’s a fun way to get involved: open an account with IG and place just 1 trade from 2 Jan – 28 Feb 2025, and you could win a VIP experience to watch Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace live in the UK.

Flights, accommodation, and a VIP experience with Centenary Club are all part of the deal—sounds pretty amazing, right?

Even if you’re just starting out, IG makes it easy. The IG Academy has free online courses to help you build your trading knowledge, and a demo platform lets you practice before jumping in.

And if you’re feeling extra festive:

• Welcome bonus: Get up to S$888 when you fund a minimum of S$2,000 and trade CFDs.
• MoneySmart exclusive: Earn S$100 via PayNow by funding a minimum of S$1,000 in a single deposit and executing just 1 CFD trade.

Now, that’s a festive win. Click here to start your trading journey with IG.

IG provides an execution-only service. The information in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute (and should not be construed as containing) any form of financial or investment advice or an investment recommendation or an offer of or solicitation to invest or transact in any financial instrument. Nor does the information take into account the investment objective, financial situation, or particular need of any person. Where in doubt, you should seek advice from an independent financial adviser regarding the suitability of your investment, under a separate arrangement, as you deem fit. No responsibility is accepted by IG for any loss or damage arising in any way (including due to negligence) from anyone acting or refraining from acting as a result of the information. All forms of investment carry risks. Trading in leveraged products, such as CFDs, carries risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Losses can exceed deposits. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

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This post was written in collaboration with IG. While we are financially compensated by them, we nonetheless strive to maintain our editorial integrity and review products with the same objective lens. We are committed to providing the best information in order for you to make personal financial decisions with confidence.

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About the author

Audrey Ng is a bargain hunter who tries to sniff out the best deals possible whether it’s food, shopping or travel. She will out auntie the auntiest of aunties.