Last week was my “no spend week” so I don’t have any awesome grocery deals to report but some of the things we ate last week were: Pork chops with grilled zucchini, mushrooms and rice, a vegetable frittata, split pea and ham soup, pancakes and eggs, big salads, chicken pot pie, oatmeal cookies and pasta.
Okay… MOVING ON.
So what I really want to talk about today is the grocery store prices in Vancouver, British Columbia The Girl and I spotted while we were there 10 days ago. Well, not only the grocery store prices but their ketchup chips {or do they call them crisps there?}.
Currently $1.00 Canadian is roughly equivalent to $0.75 in US currency so keep that in mind when you see the prices of items throughout this post.
Now… about all those ketchup chips! We counted 7 different brands of ketchup flavored chips for sale. How crazy is that? It must totally be a thing over there because I have NEVER seen ketchup flavored chips for sale anywhere in the US.
A bag of Lay’s $4.15 CAD/ $3.11 USD. So about the same price we’d pay here in the US for a bag of chips if they weren’t on sale.
We even found ketchup flavored Pringles and popcorn seasoning!!!
The sale prices on condiments seemed a wee bit high to me. What do you think?
- 34 ounce bottle of ketchup was $5.19 CAD / $3.92
- 30 ounce jar of mayo $5.69 / $4.30
And a lot of other prices were hit and miss as well.
- Minute Maid Frozen Orange Juice $1.19 CAD / $0.90 {Excellent!}
- 14 ounce box of Cheerios $4.99 CAD / $3.78 {Insane!}
Bulk carrots were crazy expensive too.
- 1 pound $1.49 CAD / $1.13 USD
Here at home bulk carrots cost about $0.59 a pound.
The funny thing was though… the prices on other things were the same {or less} than US prices here in the Pacific Northwest.
- Asparagus $ 2.99 lb CAD / $2.25 USD
- Bananas $0.79 lb CAD / $0.59 USD
- Tomatoes $0.99 lb CAD / $0.75 USD
Sour cabbage. Have you ever tried it? I was tempted to buy a head for my dad {who LOVES all things pickled} but I wasn’t sure the cabbage would survive the long car ride home. Where would I find this in the US? Anyone know?
Another thing I noticed was the size on a lot of their packaged cookies and crackers were about 1/4th smaller than the US. I’m not sure why this is. But you know what? I kind of like it. The prices were equivalent to a regular sized package here in the US so maybe Canadians don’t buy as many cookies and crackers? Maybe they are more of a special occasion thing over there? I don’t know. I’d love to know the reasoning behind it though.
And last but not least…
- 1 gallon of milk $5.79 CAD / $4.37 USD {Crazy Expensive!!!}
- 1 pound ground beef $3.99 CAD / $3.01 USD {Great Price!}
So I don’t know. The prices were all over the map from crazy expensive to incredibly reasonable. I guess if I lived in Vancouver, Canada I’d really have to pay attention to the grocery store ads and buy only what was on sale in any given week. And if milk were regularly $4.37 a gallon US? I’d go without in my tea and I’d definitely not be buying cold cereal any time soon.
What do you think of the prices of groceries in Canada? Good? Bad? Comparable to where you live? I’d love to know what you think. Oh, and those ketchup chips…. have you tried them before? Did you like them? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $0
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $202.99
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $143.94
- Total Spent in March on Groceries $183.35
- Total Spent in April on Groceries $205.67
- Total Spent on Groceries in May $248.60
- Total Spent on Groceries in June $90.41
************
- Total Spent in January on Take Out, Date Nights, and Bakery Treats $42.19
- Total Spent in February on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $118.45
- Total Spent in March on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $25.29
- Total Spent in April on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $62.50
- Total Spent in May of Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $54.52
- Total Spent in June of Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $69.25
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
cat says
Hi Mavis,
I can’t say for sure cause I’m in Sask. but a lot of those prices were similar to here, but milk has always been crazy expensive. Here it’s close to $6 for the big jugs. (Butter is also $4.00 a pound and that’s the cheap or on sale price).
I don’t buy sour cabbage unless I have too, I prefer to make my own and it’s WAY cheaper.
We’ve always had relatively cheap beef prices because Alberta And Sask. are big producers, so it’s common commodity but our milk production is controlled so the dairy board gets to set prices. I also find that our produce is really high over here where it seems lower in the provinces that grow produce (again because it’s common and abundant.) The farther we have to truck something in makes the price go up. Like in the winter Tomatoes will be $7.00 for two pounds!! Regardless food prices have gone up and quantities have gotten smaller (like in the cracker/cookie boxes you mentioned).
P.s. Ketchup chips are okay but not my favorite.
Lacy says
I wonder what their obesity rates are compared to the US? With processed foods being in smaller packages and with their prices being high, maybe they are trying to force people to “buy healthier”. Just a thought!
Joanna says
In southern Ontario, milk runs about $5.00-$10.00 for 3 bags (or 4L), depending on its fat percent and whether or not it’s organic.
Produce frequently jumps up and down in price but as large agricultural farms (particularly tomatoes – Leamington is 40 minutes away from me and is the tomato capital of Canada) are so close this time of year fresh, local produce is popping up in grocery stores for pretty cheap.
Prices are higher in Vancouver than here due to cost of living being so much higher, but compared to when I go to a meijer in Michigan, I’d say the cost is relatively the same, with Canada having better overall quality due to stricter regulations on meat and dairy.
Ketchup chips are delicious! Kinda vinegary and full of flavour, and though they don’t distinctly taste like “ketchup”, there’s no mistaking them for any other chip.
Susan says
I live in New England, but have been to Eastern Canada several times and my sister went to grad school in Halifax. She noticed that some grocery items (like avocados) were cheaper, while others (like milk) more more expensive than she was used to. YES to all things ketchup in Canada, but also pickle and “all seasonings” flavored chips, too. I’ve actually seen these flavors in my MA grocery store, but kind of hidden. We also noticed a lot of salt and vinegar-flavored snacks — crackers, rice cakes, etc. That’s my favorite, so I really stocked up on that, ha! I was surprised that the milk you showed was in plastic jugs. When I was last in Canada, they had milk in plastic bags — you brought it home and placed it in a hard-plastic frame and snipped the corner to pour.
The other thing my sister noticed in Halifax was widespread municipal composting. Not only did the “trash” collectors gather greens, but they even collected meat (!), dairy, and kitchen scraps for composting. I found this link with info about what they collect. Pretty awesome!
http://www.halifax.ca/recycle/greencart.php
Susan says
Found this about the milk bags: http://mentalfloss.com/article/81468/why-do-canadians-drink-milk-bags
Melissa says
Yeah composting as part of garbage pick up services is becoming more common in the Pacific Northwest part of the United States too – at least in municipalities around us – very nice and cuts back a lot on the garbage we put out
Jamie says
I live in north Seattle area. We love going to Canada! Normally it is Victoria or Vancouver B.C. but last summer it was Toronto. We always stop at grocery stores, even if we are staying in a hotel. Silly Mavis went shopping for the wrong things! You go to buy CANDY!!!! Namely better candy than the U.S. versions and European candy too! I would say their sale/Winco type prices are more like our regular grocery prices for candy.
For regular food, I think it depends on the grocery store chain, just like in the U.S. for prices. You compared to Winco prices which are very cheap. In know mayonnaise at my local chain store has roughly the same regular price which is why you shop the sales. Over all I don’t see as many sales up there, so over all definitely more expensive than you can get here.
livingrichonthecheap says
Yes, Canada has much higher prices on most groceries, only getting worse as they tell us today meat is rising by 7-9 percent this year. I buy 4 litres (1 gallon) jugs of milk on special for $4.53 at absolute lowest, one of our pharmacy has that special all the time to get you in to buy more expensive products. I buy the milk then pick over their loss leaders and depart. The downsizing of packaging began a few years ago, keep the price the same but shrink the package. I am trying for no prepackaged meals to keep the costs down. Where they really nail us is over the counter medications – I bought a costco membership just to try and keep ours down as we have 2 diseases that won’t kill us and that we keep at bay with OTCs (IBS/Fibromyalgia). How do we combat it? Buy only fruit and veggies on sale. I got a huge watermelon this week for $5 ($9 at all the other stores) that I shared with my Mom. Also our local farm market just opened up and while they are about the same price or slightly more expensive than the grocery store their produce is second to none – the best carrots in the world. I also buy in bulk things like rice (20kg) every 2 years and flour. We hardly use sugar except for the hummingbird feeder so don’t over buy things like that. I buy pink stickered meat and then immediately freeze it. We eat alot of pork and chicken versus more expensive beef.
Gail says
First saw ketchup Pringles in the middle of may here in Los Angeles, but they were in a blue tube, not a red tube.
Took a picture and sent it to the daughter who loves ketchup on her ketchup. Her response was “I don’t think so.”
Martha says
Here in Skagit Co WA we see lots of Canadians coming over to COSTCO to stock up on groceries/dairy products. I wonder if the prices in Canada reflect a lack of government subsidies for corn and soy etc seen here in the US. American’s processed food prices are greatly out of whack with the true cost of producing them.
Pam says
What store were you in? Those prices are crazy, and I’m Canadian! I didn’t recognize the sale tags, so I’m guessing it was a store other than the big chains like Superstore or Sobeys/Safeway. I live in Alberta (also in a pretty expensive city) but yeah, those prices are quite high, definitely not what I see around here. Ketchup chips are awesome! They are my second favorite, after sour cream and onion.
Mavis Butterfield says
IGA
Jason from Winnipeg says
As someone from Winnipeg Manitoba those prices are crazy for me as well.
IGAs are pretty expensive as they are a small chain and are usually independently operated.
If you were to go to a Real Canadian Superstore or Costco the prices would be considerably lower.
I just picked up this weekend…
– 10lbs of organic carrots for $6 CAD
– 20lbs of lean ground beef at $3/lb CAD
– Cheerios (Super Jumbo box) at Costco for $5 CAD
Julie C says
IGA’s are the same here in the US, at least they are in Kentucky. Their sale prices are usually higher than the regular price at other grocery stores.
Andrea says
Canadian here! Yes many of our groceries are more expensive simply due to the cost of importing. Items that are the price (or cheaper) can be grown/made here (such as the asperagus and tomatoes). Apples can be found for an astonishing $.50 per pound or less in the fall. Milk and milk products are more expensive b/c our farmers aren’t subsidized by the government as much as they are in the US. In Australia they aren’t subsidized at all and their milk prices are outrageous!! So I’m not complaining. Our prices are also higher b/c our minimum wage is much higher than the US. In Ontario it’s $10.50/hour. Soon to increase to $15. And finally, KETCHUP CHIPS ARE AWESOME!!! You’ve got to try them! So good!!
Nicole says
Minimum wage in Alberta is $12.20 / hr and it will go up to $15/hr next year. In the US it is only $7.25, which is not a living wage. I’d rather pay slightly higher food prices and grow our own food than see workers being paid such low wages.
Melissa says
I’m Australia and our food prices seem to be on a par with Canada (like our dollar is pretty much on a par too!) Our milk prices are all over the place. Supermarkets have milk for about $1.25 a litre but it varies depending on where you buy it and the brand (supermarket brands are cheaper)
Candace says
Also from Canada. We used to live in Vancouver and yes the prices are pretty high. We live rural now about 6 hours from Vancouver and our prices are even higher here. Milk is insanely expensive! Packaged stuff is crazy too. And ketchup chips are yum! 🙂 we try to buy local but sometimes the prices end up higher. We travel about an hour to the nearest Walmart for big shops.
Jennifer says
Milk at our local small town grocer is about $4 per gallon after tax. Travel about an hour and you can get it for $1.90 per gallon and in southeast Iowa you can find it for about $1 per gallon. Eggs are cheap in Iowa also.
debbie in alaska says
How cool! My husband and I just hosted the girl/climber that is on the ketchup potato chip bag you show! She and her mother are ski traversing from Squamish BC to Skagway AK — and they made a unplanned stop in Juneau. They are just finishing up after 6 months out there on the ice fields. How cool to see it on your blog. This is her: http://coastmountainepic.ca/ in case anyone is interested.
Michelle says
We live south of the Canadian border for a few years and this is my only comment- Canadian Oreos are not the same. We were so disappointed.
Lori says
Back in 2000 I lived in Kelowna, BC – Lovely resort town on Lake Okanogan – anyway, I found that there were a lot of things that were cheaper in Canada, but there were also a lot of things that I would buy on my trips home to Washington. Ketchup chips are good, but I haven’t missed them. I do miss Yorkshire pudding mix in a packet and Swiss Chalet. 🙂
Anita says
your mistake was looking at prices at IGA, one of the highest price grocery stores in BC and not the freshest produce either. Ketchup chips are a Canadian thing as so are Kinder Surprise chocolates (for kids).
Jillbert says
Whoa! I’m fascinated by those ketchup chips and the sour cabbage heads. What does one do with sour cabbage?
Lori SA says
I live in the Metro Vancouver area and those are about the prices we pay. I find your goal of $250/month for groceries (let alone restaurants too) impossible for our family of 4. The tomatoes, asparagus and lean ground beef that you posted are crazy good deals. I am always stunned at the snack aisles in the USA- they are easily 4 times (or more?) larger than ours and have a huge variety of items. The cookies and crackers are definitely a very occasional buy. I don’t mind the smaller packages here but they have started to make my Earl Grey tea bags smaller too!!! (NOT GOOD!) As for ketchup chips- they seem to be served at many get-togethers but I don’t like them- however I love salt and vinegar chips which I never see in the USA (you are missing a good thing there). I also love your Tillamook cheese when we visit. I wish we got that here (did you check the price of cheese here? I just bought 460gm/about 1 lb of cheddar, on sale, for $8).
Julie C says
We have salt & vinegar chips here in Kentucky, US. I absolutely love them! I like most vinegar-y things 🙂
Mar says
I live in Vancouver. IGA is a group of independent grocers and is more expensive than Safeway, Save On Foods and of course Costco.
I don’t buy dairy so can’t comment on milk prices but I know when CDN and US dollars were closer in price that many Canadians headed south of the border for cheaper dairy products.
I think Ketchup chips are terrible but every kid I know loves them – I bet they are full of sugar.
I used to love Salt and Vinegar chips until the dentist told me they cause the inside of your mouth to go white so I haven’t had the urge to eat a single one since then.
Love your blog Mavis – I had been planning a visit to the Neverland Tea Room and your photos made me want to go sooner.
Melissa says
Another Canadian here. Our dairy prices vary between provinces, even. Each province has a quota system with its dairy producers. This quota cost to the farmer is reflected in the ticket price in the store. We live in Ontario, where dairy is high compared to American prices, but way less than New Brunswick, where quota costs are much greater. The government then further makes our dairy costs high by making it illegal to sell milk outside of the milk board and its quota system. Even selling raw milk to an informed consumer is illegal and will result in loss of license. It is actually semi-facist. But there you are.
KAYTHEGARDENER says
Wikipedia via Google says that sour cabbage are whole heads pickled, much like sauerkraut, only not shredded.
People use them for stuffed cabbage rolls in Eastern European recipes & sometimes cut out the central rib of the leaf before wrapping it around the stuffing & then baking a dish of the rolls…
Kelly says
I am from Newfoundland Canada, some of those prices are pretty spot on for prices here. Though the sale for the Hellmans mayo and Ketchup was higher than I see normally. Milk on the other hand I pay about $4.49 Canadian for 1/2 a gallon. (Milk here is sold in 1 and 2 liter cartons). Not really sure what the reasoning on the crackers and cookies are but it seems the packages of everything is getting smaller here with the pricing being the same. This has recently happened to Hard cheese, frozen chicken in the box etc.
Lynn says
About the KETCHUP potato chips . . . Is there a large Dutch community there? I grew up in a Dutch immigrant community, and they love, love, love ketchup. Once I even attended a wedding shower where the bride-to-be received an entire case of ketchup. Just a thought.
sindy says
Mavis When you go back to Canada buy this cereal it is yummy and can only buy it in Canada.
This famed hot cereal with the delightful nutty flavour originated in Manitoba’s storied Red River Valley.
Red River Cereal is a mixture of three whole grains – wheat, rye, and flax. Nothing is added and nothing is removed. This blend of grains is NATURALLY LOW IN FAT and gives a balance of flavour that no single grain cereal can match
RED RIVER CEREAL IS DISCONTINTUED (USA ONLY)
Jen says
Prices in the US or anywhere depend on where you are, what store you’re in, etc. Here in CA, I might spend $3-6 for milk. I usually opt for the $3 milk.
i never ever see milk on sale for less than $2.99, so to me the price Mavis saw is no big deal. But every place is different. The median home prices here are $775,000 and minimum wage is $10-15 or so. Certainly different pricing than in other parts of the US!
Chelsea says
Where in Vancouver did you find the ketchup chips ? Are they everywhere?
Mavis Butterfield says
They were pretty much everywhere.