T&T: US-Cda Prices - Not Always What You Expect Relative (was: Canadian Customs)

[Garrett Lambert]

I've been following the wine / food staples thread with some amusement,
having just returned to BC from two trips to a dozen Washington ports of
call for about 15 days in all.

Yes, wines and some liquors in the US are exceptionally cheap in relative
terms, and, as someone who enjoys a couple of glasses a day, it irks me no
end. However, the difference doesn't seem like much compared to current fuel
prices. As Arild points out, the main reason for buying locally is to get
into the communities and sample variety. Liquor stores in the US offer
brands I don't see here. The same is true of liquor stores in Canada, but
the selection of foreign wines, especially really excellent Chilean,
Argentinian and South African varieties, seems to be better. So much to
drink and so little time...

OTOH, food prices are cheaper in Canada, even for US-grown produce. How can
the same California oranges cost US$1.99 a pound in Washington and C$1.29 in
BC? Or bananas US$0.99 vs C$0.59?

Cheers, Garrett