Many Kano residents have resorted to using locally-produced brown sugar (known as mazarkwaila), due to the high cost of granulated sugar.
The price of granulated sugar has soared in recent days, with a 50KG bag of the commodity now selling for about N80,000 in the state, while measurements in smaller quantities go for about N5,000.
Mazarkwaila is made from sugarcane and is largely produced in Ikara, Makarfi, and Soba local government areas of Kaduna and transported to Kano in large quantities for sale.
The brown sugar is said to give the same taste as the granulated sugar, although “much healthier in effect”.
Consumers in the state have been compelled to use brown sugar for foods such as gruel, fura, and tea.
Residents said they found mazarkwaila much more affordable than granulated sugar, as a pack costs between N250 and N400 compared to about N5,000 paid for a measured quantity of granulated sugar.
Peoplesmind