Prices of cardigans, blankets and other clothing wears used during winters have shot up as harmattan sours by the day in Kano. Although there was no significant rise in the prices of new sweaters and blankets, there is apparent hike in the prices of second-hand clothing.

At Kofar Wambai Market in Kano, there was a beehive of activities as people throng the market to purchase materials. On the display were pyramids of sweaters, hills of boots, trousers, among others.

At some boutiques visited, the prices of new of cardigan starts from N3,000 up to N5,000 or above, depending on the design and quality. A Levi Strauss cardigan at one of the boutiques in Kano is N4,000, while a Polo sweater costs N5,000.

A shop attendant at one of the boutiques said the prices have not changed significantly but said the demand has increased. "The price is almost the same before the winter season, it is only the demand that hopped up," Chika, the attendant says.

But checks at second-hand clothing market show that there is increase in the prices as most of the traders now deal in sweaters to make brisk business.

Malam Lawan, a clothe dealer said a cardigan before the cold season sold at N300 has now changed to N500, while the price of blanket sold at N2,000 before the season is now oscillating between N2,500 and N3,000.

Apart from the markets, many hawkers of other wares now convert to either selling blankets or sweaters.