You Won't Believe How Much You'd Pay Abroad for This Everyday Aussie Food – Tourists Are Shocked!

When we travel, the allure of exotic cuisines and local delicacies is often one of the highlights of our adventures. However, there's something comforting about finding a taste of home when you're miles away from familiar shores. But how much would you be willing to pay for that slice of nostalgia? For one couple, the price of a pantry staple abroad was nothing short of jaw-dropping.

Mark and Nadine, a married couple originally from the UK and Ireland who now call Australia home, were soaking up the sun in Thailand when they stumbled upon a can of Heinz baked beans. This humble tin, a common sight in the pantries of the UK, Ireland, and Australia, became an unexpected symbol of the couple's longing for home comforts. Yet, the price tag attached to it was anything but comforting.


In a video shared on social media, Nadine can be heard exclaiming, 'You want your Heinz beans in Thailand? Only 420 baht.' After a quick currency conversion, the couple realized that the cost was nearly $20 AUD for a single can of beans. '20 Australian dollars for a f**king can of beans,' remarked Mark, summing up their disbelief.


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Tourists in Thailand were surprised by a can of Heinz baked beans priced at 420 Baht. Credit: Tiktok / @markandnadinetravel


The couple's reaction to the 'crazy' price sparked a conversation about the value we place on familiar items when abroad. While some online commentators suggested that tourists should embrace local foods instead of paying a premium for imported goods, Mark and Nadine pointed out the significant 'markup' at the Thai supermarket. 'We know imported things are more expensive,' they said, acknowledging the reality of distribution and transport costs inflating prices.


To put things into perspective, the price of the Heinz beans in Thailand was a staggering 600% higher than what you'd pay at Woolworths or Coles back in Australia, where a tin costs around $2.80 AUD. This isn't the first time Australians have been taken aback by the price of their beloved products overseas. Last year, a packet of Tim Tams was spotted in the US with a price tag of $8.59 USD, which converts to about $13.65 AUD, causing quite the stir among Aussies who were outraged by the inflated cost.

The question remains: Is the taste of home worth the hefty price tag when you're traveling? It's a personal decision, but it's clear that for many, the emotional comfort provided by familiar foods can sometimes outweigh the financial cost.

For our members who have ventured abroad, we'd love to hear your stories. Have you ever paid a surprising amount for an Australian product overseas? Did it make you think twice, or was the taste of home worth every penny? Share your experiences in the comments below!


And remember, while it's tempting to reach for those familiar items, exploring local markets and trying the regional cuisine can be one of the most enriching parts of travel. Not only is it a chance to immerse yourself in the culture, but it's also kinder to your wallet. So next time you're faced with a pricey can of beans, consider whether it might be an opportunity to discover your next favorite dish instead.
Key Takeaways
  • Tourists in Thailand were taken aback by the high price of a can of Heinz baked beans, which was marked at 420 Baht.
  • The couple, originally from the UK and Ireland but living in Australia, highlighted the steep price difference compared to local costs, with the conversion equating to nearly $20 AUD.
  • There was a debate about whether it's worth buying familiar foods at a high mark-up when travelling, with suggestions to 'eat locally' instead.
  • The price increase for imported goods was compared to a previous instance where Tim Tams were sold in the US at a significant mark-up, drawing outrage from Australian consumers.
Do you have a story tip or a travel experience you'd like to share? Email us at [email protected] or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. We're always eager to hear from our community and share the wisdom of our seasoned travelers!
 
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That sounds very much like the ten pound pom complaint that fish and chips tasted different here because of the different newspaper wrapping.
And guess what? Vegemite is really difficult to find in US midwest supermarkets. If you want the comforts of home then stay at home. I thought only Americans complained about people driving on the "wrong" side of the road and speaking with accents difficult to understand: "why don't they all speak American?" Apparently we're just as bad.
 
That sounds very much like the ten pound pom complaint that fish and chips tasted different here because of the different newspaper wrapping.
And guess what? Vegemite is really difficult to find in US midwest supermarkets. If you want the comforts of home then stay at home. I thought only Americans complained about people driving on the "wrong" side of the road and speaking with accents difficult to understand: "why don't they all speak American?" Apparently we're just as bad.
'Ten pound Pom'? Seriously? I thought that nasty ingrained racism had died a natural death. Apparently not - in your case, anyway, it appears to be alive and kicking.
 
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Why on earth would you want to buy baked beans while on holidays. I thought the idea of going overseas was to experience new sights,cultures and foods.
If you want to eat baked beans ????, perhaps just stay home.
 
'Ten pound Pom'? Seriously? I thought that nasty ingrained racism had died a natural death. Apparently not - in your case, anyway, it appears to be alive and kicking.
I came here to live 58 and not surprisingly I'm still being call not a Ten Pound Pom, but still notably a Pommie Bastard, that by the way is one of the milder epithets (Not usually being one to mince words there are some that even this foul mouthed prat won't use in company). Although usually I must admit by people that weren't even a twinkle in either parents eye?
 
That sounds very much like the ten pound pom complaint that fish and chips tasted different here because of the different newspaper wrapping.
And guess what? Vegemite is really difficult to find in US midwest supermarkets. If you want the comforts of home then stay at home. I thought only Americans complained about people driving on the "wrong" side of the road and speaking with accents difficult to understand: "why don't they all speak American?" Apparently we're just as bad.
My problem is that I'm jealous because we came out on the last passenger ship in 1940, after which it was decided too dangerous, since we were bombed three times. So we paid full dollar (sorry, full pound) rather than the ten pounds those who followed us paid after the war.
 
Ewww! Baked beans - breakfast of heathens.

Unfortunately, @DLHM eats them every couple of days. Luckily for us, (sorry @Luckyus), she doesn't experience the flatulence of the "Blazing Saddles" cast.

And to think Mel Brooks produced the movie "Silent Movie". Silent but deadly???
 
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Ewww! Baked beans - breakfast of heathens.

Unfortunately, @DLHM eats them every couple of days. Luckily for us, (sorry @Luckyus), she doesn't experience the flatulence of the "Blazing Saddles" cast.

And to think Mel Brooks produced the movie "Silent Movie". Silent but deadly???
When I’ve traveled overseas, I prefer to eat the local cuisine (within reason). I’ve never been on the lookout for foods I can easily (and more cheaply), buy at home.
If I wanted to feel at home, I’d stay home.
 
Can’t understand why people go overseas and object to the cost of their favourite foods. Stay at home if you can’t get used to enjoying the food of exotic or culturally different places
 
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