Today, I went to buy sugar from a kiosk because my mother wanted it. “Do you have Dangote Sugar?” Was the question I asked from shop to shop until I realized that I had been to five shops already, and I was almost at the closest bus stop to my house, but there was no sugar in sight. Dangote Sugar is my preferred sugar brand, and I’ve been using it for a very long time.
A small sized pack of Dangote sugar used to cost 350 naira in 2023, though prices could vary depending on where I bought it. However, due to the fluctuating value of the naira, everything has become very expensive, and we all know that prices that go up in Nigeria for some reason, never come down. The price of a pack of sugar went from 350 naira to 700 naira.
There are barely any local shops where you can buy branded granulated sugar anymore, and on the other hand, cube sugar is expensive. I started opting for Golden Penny sugar, which, unlike Dangote sugar, tastes so light that you need a large amount to taste it. There are also odd black particles in the golden penny sugar, which irks me. But because Dangote sugar isn’t accessible in the market, I decided to go for Golden Penny. But, guess what? It is also scarce!
Possible Benefits of Sugar Scarcity
Is the public going to benefit from this? You know, less sugar equals less issues with diet. This shortage could encourage creativity in the hunt for sugar substitutes that are natural and healthy, such as dates, honey, maple syrup, more vanilla, etc. For those who like sweetness without the negative health effects, this may be useful.
People can resort to naturally sweet whole foods like fruits and vegetables as processed and locally created sugar-filled roadside pastries like puff puffs, buns, and doughnuts are less readily available. This could lead to a more balanced and nutritious diet.
Negative Impact of Sugar Scarcity
Rewinding to my story, I eventually had to buy some unbranded sugar despite my skepticism about it. In spite of the fact that eradicating granulated sugar would be beneficial to everyone’s health, the unfavorable aspect of the possibility of scarcity still rears its ugly head. What I mean is that the scarcity of sugar could put a strain on household budgets, particularly for low-income families, as not every household can afford the above-mentioned alternatives to sugar, which could lead them to choose riskier options like the well-known “tie-tie sugar.”
Scarcity might also result in the formation of a black market. Because the black market operates outside of the law, there is no guarantee that the sugar sold is of high quality or safe. It could be contaminated with hazardous substances, diluted with fillers, or completely false sugar.
Conclusion
Sugar scarcity has a multifaceted impact on the country. While there may be some benefits, such as reduced total sugar intake and the development of possibly healthier alternatives, the drawbacks are severe.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” You’d probably wonder. Well, scarcity of sugar could lead to a lot of things which include hard times financially, job losses, the possibility of dangerous goods being sold on the black market, and the extinction of cultural customs related to sugary foods. Would the public gain or lose from a possible sugar shortage? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below.
