KARACHI: One of the most delicious features of Eidul Fitr is Sheer Khurma and the vermicelli makers are extremely busy in meeting both local and export demands as the thin sticks made of flour, which are boiled in milk along with sugar and dried fruits and served hot, enjoys an edge over all other Eid desserts.

Manufactures say that the vermicelli produced in Karachi is quite different from those made in other parts of the country.

Managing director of Bake Parlour Mian Mehmood Hassan said production of this traditional sweet had extended to various cities of Punjab, but the vermicelli produced in Karachi outdid other cities because of the weather dew at nights in Karachi which creates elasticity in the product during the overnight drying, which helps in its U-shaped packing.

He said his company produced 400,000 cartons every year carrying 60 packets in each carton of 150-175 grams each while 50,000 cartons were exported every year to various countries where Muslims observed the tradition in large numbers.

No match of vermicelli produced in Karachi, manufacturers claim

Mr Hassan said big companies did not produce vermicelli and they manage to get the product from other small to medium sized vendors.

Exports boom

The first two to three months ahead of Eid are crucial for vermicelli makers during which they get highly engaged in tapping foreign orders from the Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia, the US, the European countries, Canada, and Afghanistan as well as meeting the local demand.

The thinner vermicelli is destined for the Arab countries while people in Afghanistan and Balochistan consume thick vermicelli.

“In my total production, 25 per cent of the product find its way into the local market while 75pc will be shipped to various countries,” Muzzamil Khan, who has been operating his factory for over 50 years at Yousuf Goth in Itehad Town, said adding that he was making the product based on the orders given by various private sector companies to meet both local and foreign demands.

He said some 30-40 plants were now in operation in Karachi as compared to only four to five units some five years ago.

Key ingredient — fine flour

Maida or super fine flour is the main ingredient used for making vermicelli whose production duration ranges between three and four days.

The rate of Maida is now Rs85 per kilo which was Rs50-58 per kg five years ago. However, consumers get less than 200 grams packs at Rs20-30 each.

He said 50-60 people are employed in a single factory on a contract basis earning Rs900-1,000 per day.

One machine has the capacity to utilise 50 bags of Maida of 50kg each per day to prepare vermicelli. Besides, all the machines are locally made.

It depends on the manufacturer how many machines they install for meeting local and export orders.

Mr Khan said that he would send some 12-14 containers carrying 2,600 cartons weighing 7.2kg each this season to Saudi Arabia while around two Mazda vehicles carrying 600 bags of 15kg each would usually depart for Afghanistan by road.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2022