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Comment by bialpio | Hacker News Reader

> we get heaps of produce from California

Are the prices in line with what those products would cost in the US (e.g. WA state)? I was under the impression that the prices in BC were lower, so now I'm wondering if the price adjustment to account for local markets is significant or not, or if I misremembered completely.

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Prices aren't very different than WA state for most goods, but that's because BC, just like WA, grows a fair amount of food in the interior.

Much of its out-of-season produce comes from California, but that's the case in WA, as well.

Things like cheese are very expensive in BC, but that's due to Canada's dairy tax situation.

I feel like the in season (from Fraser Valley) vs not in season (california or mexico) produce price is only like maybe a +$1-2 price modifier on things?

I don't look too closely at my grocery bill, so I'm probably not the most helpful person to ask.

I assume all the food is cheaper in the USA than Canada.

My impression are the prices are pretty similar with exception to dairy, where Canada has more stringent regulations and therefore prices are slightly higher.

Last time I was in New York was a good few years ago, but I was very surprised how much more expensive supermarket food was than in the UK, like 3x more. In a huge country with lots of farmland like the US with less stringent food regulations in theory food should be cheaper so I’m curious as to what causes this price difference.

New York as in New York City? Everything needs to be trucked in and out and there are toll bridges everywhere. Go to the suburbs and food is cheaper. Go further and it’s way cheaper.

New York is a crazy expensive city and most of the stuff people want to eat comes California or Latin America. It's quite a bit further to travel compared to i.e. importing from North Africa or Europe.

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