Gurasa sellers in Kano State are lamenting the drop in sales following the continuous increment in prices of commodities including flour, the major ingredient for the local bread.
The Chairman of the State Gurasa Sellers Association, Umaru Badamasi, who said this in an interview with Daily Trust, added that at the moment, the sellers trade three million pieces daily totalling a minimum of N150million as against over five million pieces being sold previously.
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Gurasa, popularly known with the Kano people and some other states in the North, is an indigenous delicacy made from flour.
The delicacy is said to have a long-rooted history that could be traced back to the Arabs, especially many parts of the Middle East, serving as food that is transformed into various types of dishes enjoyed equally by both the elites and the masses.
In Kano, the popular spot for selling gurasa is the Jakara Market, where it is being produced mostly by the female residents around the area, and sold by men in the market.
Badamasi said the hike in prices of the ingredients, especially flour, has affected the business operations.
Corroborating the statistics given by the chairman, one of the sellers, Danjuma Maigurasa, said he had been in the business for over 30 years.
He said although the hike in the price of flour has tremendously affected the business, he still sells over 1,000 pieces daily, adding that the lowest price for the delicacy is N50 now.
However, it was also gathered that despite the hike in its price, gurasa is still popular in many homes across the state for its sweet taste and easy processing.
The production and trading of gurasa is notably one of the local businesses that provide employment opportunities for several residents in the state.