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What are some food items that cost less than what they "should"? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 6 months ago by otp@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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Bananas are ridiculously cheap even up here in Canada, and they aren't grown anywhere near here. Yet a banana can grow, be harvested, be shipped, be stocked, and then be purchased by me for less than it'd cost to mail a letter across town. (Well, if I could buy a single banana maybe...or maybe that's not the best comparison, but I think you get my point)

Along the banana's journey, the farmer, the harvester, the shipper, the grocer, the clerk, and the cashier all (presumably) get paid. Yet a single banana is mere cents. If you didn't know any better, you might think a single banana should cost $10!

I'm presuming that this is because of some sort of exploitation somewhere down the line, or possibly loss-leading on the grocery store's side of things.

I'm wondering what other products like bananas are a lot cheaper than they "should" be (e.g., based on how far they have to travel, or how difficult they are to produce, or how much money we're saving "unethically").

I've heard that this applies to coffee and chocolate to varying extents, but I'm not certain.

Anyone know any others?

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[-] conciselyverbose@kbin.social 4 points 6 months ago

They're not growing or picking or shipping one banana. They're growing it by the tree, picking by the bunch, and shipping by huge units.

[-] otp@sh.itjust.works 4 points 6 months ago

Of course. And I'm not buying one banana either.

It's got to be more than an economy of scale though, right?

[-] CarbonIceDragon@pawb.social 3 points 6 months ago

I'm not sure if it's what you mean exactly, but every time I buy sour cream, I'm shocked at how cheap it is, compared to other dairy products

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[-] Lifecoach5000@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

I was told food is expensive now.

[-] otp@sh.itjust.works 4 points 6 months ago

Bananas are still cheap, though!

[-] Cosmicomical@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

Nice try, Davos

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this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2024

161 points (97.1% liked)

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