Paying a small fortune for your favourite imported treats?
From Japan's Kikkoman soy sauce to Belgium's Lotus Biscoff and viral Fix Dubai chocolate, the price of a national speciality can change dramatically when it crosses a border. Once shipping costs, tariffs, distribution fees and retailer markups are factored in, a budget pantry staple at home can easily become a premium purchase overseas.
Read on to find out just how cheap these 12 iconic foods are where they're from, and how much you could save by stocking up in their home countries.
All amounts in US dollars.
In Japan, Kikkoman soy sauce is a cheap kitchen essential. At Aeon, the nation's leading supermarket, a 500ml bottle costs just $1.57 (£1.15). Overseas, the price tag tells a completely different story.
US and Australian shoppers pay roughly two-and-a-half times more, with Walmart charging $3.94 (£2.89) and Woolworths $3.80 (£2.79) for the same amount. Brits get an even rawer deal. At Sainsbury's, the price climbs to $5.58 (£4.10), making it over three-and-a-half times more expensive than in Tokyo.
Canada produces the vast majority of the world's maple syrup, so it stands to reason this liquid gold is more affordable there. In Ontario, a 500ml jug of Jakeman’s Grade A Pure Maple Syrup, which is considered among the best money can buy, costs $18.26 (£13.41) directly from the producer.
In the US, the price increases sharply. At Walmart, that same bottle is priced at an eye-watering $45.99 (£33.78). American shoppers are paying two-and-a-half times as much due to import costs, tariffs and other surcharges.
Renowned for its rich flavour and golden hue, Kerrygold's grass-fed butter is marketed as a premium product in many countries. But at home, it's simply what people spread on their soda bread.
Shoppers in the US pay about 37% more than their Irish counterparts, while in Spain, where Kerrygold butter is more of a niche import, the price rises by roughly 80%. The UK is the outlier: strong demand and frequent supermarket promotions keep prices close to Irish levels, sometimes even lower with loyalty card offers.
Billed as boasting the world's longest grains, Daawat Biryani Basmati Rice is a go-to in India and highly sought-after overseas. Economical at home, a 1kg bag costs just $2.15 (£1.58) from Amazon India. That price skyrockets abroad.
Amazon US sells the same pack for $24 (£17.63), while UK shoppers pay around $20 (£14.69). This massive markup means global fans of the product pay nearly 10 times more.
With six billion of the caramelised morsels produced annually, Lotus Biscoff is a true global phenomenon. In its home country, the biscuit is budget-friendly, costing just $1.71 (£1.26) for 250g at Carrefour Belgium.
Over in the UK, shoppers at leading supermarkets pay almost one-and-a-half times more, and prices spike even higher once the product leaves Europe. In Australia, the same quantity costs $3.16 (£2.32) at Woolworths, while in the US it's $3.51 (£2.58) at Target, more than double the Belgian price.
Italy's number one pasta brand, Barilla is super-affordable on its home turf. A 500g pack of its classic Spaghetti will set you back the equivalent of $1.12 (70p) at major supermarket Conad, which has branches throughout the country.
The price almost doubles abroad. In the US, Walmart shoppers pay $2.02 (£1.48) for the same quantity, while UK chain Sainsbury's charges $2.04 (£1.50) for an identical pack.
It's the viral chocolate delight loaded with pistachio paste, tahini and crunchy pastry that sparked a global obsession. Fix's Can’t Get Knafeh Of It bar is priced at $18.58 (£13.65) in Dubai, which is far from cheap. But getting hold of some overseas is an even more costly endeavour.
The brand does offer international shipping, but large minimum orders, $25 (£18.36) delivery fees and possible customs charges make ordering from abroad far more expensive than buying locally. And for those just wanting to try one, the only realistic option is resale sites, where the bar typically sells for at least twice the Dubai price.
Staying with chocolate bars, Cadbury Dairy Milk is reasonably priced at home. A 95g bar costs $2.16 (£1.59) at Tesco and Aldi in the UK.
In the US, the equivalent bar is slightly larger, but even adjusted for size the chocolate is still pricier. Weight-for-weight pricing works out at $2.85 (£2.09) at Walmart and $3.16 (£2.32) at Kroger, with similar figures at Target, around a third more than in the UK.
Brazil's signature soft drink is a refreshingly cheap deal at the source. At Carrefour Brazil, a single 350ml can of Guaraná Antarctica costs the equivalent of just 69 US cents (51p).
Step outside South America and the price fizzes upwards. In the US, you can expect to pay around $1.50 (£1.10) per can, over double the Brazilian price. The UK sees an even steeper hike, with Tesco charging $1.63 (£1.20) for a taste of the Amazon.
Germany is the world's leading candy exporter, and Haribo is the star of the show. At home, a 175g bag of Goldbären, aka Goldbears, the brand's hallmark gummies, can be snapped up for as little as $1.16 (85p).
The sweetness fades the moment they ship out. In the UK, Tesco and Morrisons charge $1.70 (£1.25) for the same bag.
American fans face the biggest sting: at Walmart, the equivalent quantity costs $1.89 (£1.39), making Haribo over 60% pricier than in its home country.
Despite its Nordic-sounding name, Häagen-Dazs was created in New York, and its classic Vanilla ice cream is far cheaper and less of a luxury in the US. Walmart currently sells a 14 fl oz (414ml) tub for just $3.52 (£2.59).
UK prices are relatively affordable, but even a discounted loyalty card offer at supermarket chain Tesco works out 36% more expensive.
Meanwhile, Australia is 56% pricier than the US, Spain more than double and Norway 160% higher. South Korea is the real standout: a 16 fl oz (473ml) tub typically costs an eye-watering $13.30 (£9.79), more than three times the Walmart price for the equivalent volume.
A staple of American cupboards for generations, Skippy peanut butter is also remarkably cheap on its home turf. Target currently sells a 16.3oz (462g) jar of Creamy for just $2.99 (£2.20).
Across the pond, Tesco charges $3.24 (£2.40) for a smaller 12oz (340g) jar, making Skippy 46% more expensive in the UK weight-for-weight. That said, Brits pay bargain prices compared to shoppers in Switzerland, who have to shell out over three times more for the product than their American counterparts.