Milking the cash cow
Written by: adekun on 10 August, 2008 4:08 pm - Filed under: blog ?
A couple of months back there was a report on the cash crisis. An American mother was in tears complaining milk being at the same price as gasoline? Although disparate in the UK, it made me recall dairy farmers protesting against their diminishing share of the end retail price.
I can understand cost increases being passed through, but do wonder if it’s all a bit off-kilter. Here in Japan, something that doesn’t need a reminder is the cost of food.
In one of the less affluent prefectures I’m thoroughly disgusted at the following:
- Milk c. ¥250 a litre
- Butter ¥408 for 200g (naturally the shelf was bare).
- Imported Devon cream 170ml just under ¥2000. That’s almost a tenner in English money.
- Grated ‘Pizza’ cheese 320g ¥688
- Cheese 100g around ¥500
It’s not just dairy products. The overpriced ¥300 Japanese garlic is now suddenly ¥400 a head. Is this a fair reflection of cost? Are you taking the Michael? Perhaps what I should come to terms with is that it price isn’t an issue. People now are so dependant that if that’s the price then it shall be paid with little more than a grumble - at best. The corporations are at liberty to charge what they like and there will be no riot.
Jake
10 August, 2008 #
I believe the reason prices for anything in Japan are so high is because there are usually several more layers of “middle-men”… each taking their cut.
adekun
11 August, 2008 #
It makes sense. Really have no idea though. There’s such a difference in price between shops. It really pays to shop around. No Tesco/Sainsbury’s price checks.