For an F&B owner, Ramadan is a marathon, NOT a sprint. The success of your entire festive month is decided months before the first fast begins—right when you choose your suppliers.
Why? Because the wrong supplier can turn your busiest month into rugi month.
You could end up with inconsistent ingredients, last-minute stock shortages, or surprise price hikes that eat into your profit.
But with the right prep (and the right partner), your kitchen can run like a smooth operator all through Ramadan.
This guide is your pre-Ramadan supplier checklist—four practical steps to secure your supply chain and make this year’s festive rush your smoothest (and most profitable) yet.
The first mistake many business owners make? Guessing.
You can’t simply agak-agak how much chicken or santan you’ll need—because a supplier can only perform as well as the numbers you give them.
Start with your own data.
Look back at last year’s sales during Ramadan. Which dishes sold the fastest? How many kilos of chicken, beef, and rice did you actually go through? That’s your foundation for forecasting.
Then, focus on “The Big Three”:
Chicken, beef, and coconut milk (or santan). These three ingredients make up the backbone of most Ramadan menus—from Ayam Masak Merah to Daging Gulai.
When speaking to your supplier, be upfront and be specific.
Ask: “Can you guarantee 100kg of chicken per week during peak season?”
If they hesitate, that’s a red flag. Drop them. Do not settle for less. You want someone who can confidently commit—and deliver. So, choose wisely
Once your demand is clear, the next thing is to plan your ingredients. Ramadan has its own unique set of must-haves—so this is where your supplier’s range and reliability truly matter.
Here’s your quick sourcing checklist:
Pro Tip (Branded Query):
You can simplify your sourcing by choosing professional seasoning solutions instead of juggling dozens of ingredients.
For example, TUMIX® Chicken Stock gives your dishes a consistent, balanced base flavour—reducing the need to store and measure multiple spices for every batch. It’s made with the perfect balance of real chicken, garlic, and onion taste, ensuring every dish delivers that rich, homely savouriness customers love, every time. Yes, every time.
During Ramadan, your customers’ confidence in your food’s Halal status matters more than ever. This is non-negotiable. Especially in Malaysia, where the majority of the audience are Muslims.
Never take a supplier’s word for it—always ask for proof.
A professional supplier should readily show you their JAKIM Halal certification, and you should always check the expiry date.
But don’t stop there. Go one step further:
Ask about the Halal status of the brands they carry. Your entire supply chain—from the farm to your kitchen—needs to be verifiably Halal.
Branded Query:
This is why many F&B businesses choose to partner with trusted names. All Ajinomoto Malaysia products, including TUMIX®, SERI-AJI®, and AJI-SHIO®, are certified Halal by JAKIM, so you can cook confidently knowing your menu meets the highest standard of trust.
This is where the smart caterers stand out.
We all know prices for key ingredients like chicken and beef will climb as Ramadan gets closer—so why wait until it’s too late?
Negotiate EARLY.
Start talking to suppliers at least one to two months before Ramadan. Discuss the possibility of locking in a fixed price for your core ingredients in exchange for a volume commitment. This protects you from surprise price spikes during peak demand.
Next, plan your delivery schedule.
Ask your supplier whether they can support extra or emergency deliveries during the Iftar rush. The last thing you want is to run out of chicken on a packed Saturday night. A proactive supplier will align their deliveries with your busiest hours—not the other way around.
Choosing your supplier is the foundation of your Ramadan success. A good supplier doesn’t just sell ingredients. They help your business grow.
By forecasting your needs, verifying quality, and locking in your terms early, you’ll set your kitchen up for a stress-free, smooth, and profitable festive season.
And when it comes to trusted partners, look no further.
Explore Ajinomoto Food Biz product range of Halal-certified F&B solutions—designed to help you deliver consistent, delicious flavours all throughout Ramadan.
Because great partnerships build great buffets.
Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner
