Why some groceries are cheaper in the international aisle
Posted July 23, 2023 12:48 pm.
Last Updated July 24, 2023 9:08 pm.
Canadians continue to pay substantially higher prices for groceries than just a year ago.
From shopping in bulk to keeping a close eye on specials, shoppers are implementing cost-saving tips whenever they can.
One lesser-known grocery hack simply involves going a couple of aisles over.
When shopping for spice, for instance, a 100-gram packet of garlic powder can cost as low as $1.66 in certain places. But it the international aisle, the same product is selling for $1.07.
It’s true for other spices – like oregano. A 30-gram bag is $2.49, but a 60-gram bag is $3 in the international aisle.
The deals don’t stop there. Tea drinkers can also become more budget friendly. You could spend $10 on 80 bags of green tea – or $3.99 a few aisles over.
Something like a beef stock powder can cost $3.49 on sale, but the same item from the same company is $2.99 in the same grocery store.
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Food industry expert Sylvain Charlebois says it comes down to suppliers.
“Many retailers offering ethnic foods have close ties with their own suppliers,” said Charlebois, a professor of food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University. “So they won’t deal with thousands of suppliers, they’ll just handle a few, but those few will bring good deals.
“They know when to buy, what to buy, how much, and at what price.”
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And in a time of rising grocery prices, Charlebois says Canadians’ wallets can see the benefit of a stable dollar.
“Because these products come from international markets, our own dollar has actually been quite helpful,” he said.
“That really helps buyers, importers from abroad, so when you know that your own currency is stable, it allows you to buy in bulk, buy more, or perhaps get into long-term contracts with your suppliers.”
Charlebois says shelf-stable foods that can spend weeks in transit and can be kept in storage are bound to be cheaper, as the store can order items in bulk without worrying about looming expiry dates.
