Thursday, July 26, 2007

Screaming of "Protectionism"

While shopping for things to buy for dinner in Coles Supermarket, it struck upon me how much "protectionism" is being practiced here in Australia. Almost 95% of the produce frm package food to local perishables are mainly from Australia. While I have no problems at all for the fresh vegetables and poultry (am already saything my thankful prayers from not havng to eat contaminated food from CHINA), my main gripes lies with packed food.

For one, I cannot find Tropicana Juice nor any japanese milk in the shelves. In fact, I cannot find anything that isnt "Made in Australia". Damnit it people, I want my Tropicana OJ from states! I want my Meiji or hokkaido milk. Back in Singapore, am used to having WIDE assortment of imported juice and milk or any beverages, including from Australia (nudie crushie!!). Granted Australia milk taste good too, but I just want my variety ok? I am used to being "spolit" for choice...I am used to growing up in a truly "cosmopolitan" city. Sobbb...

Secondly, bread. In Coles and woollworth supermarket, I couldnt find anything that is of "smaller" packs, everything sold here is for giants in gia-normous pack! So that means I can't eat them fresh every other day. In god's name, what am i suppose to do with a huge loaf of bread that is of at least 25 slices in a pack? I dun have a family of 10. Plus I didnt like the taste of the bread here either. I am a sopping idiot i know its just bread but i cannot help it.. At least in HK I had easy access my Japanese milk bread in citi-super, when i couldnt have my usual "Bonjour Milk Bread" or "Gardenia Banana Walnut" or "Sunshine wheat" bread as in Singapore. In sydney, even my nutella taste weird on their bread..

Thirdly, Rice. Having eaten 30years of Fragrant Thai Jasmine rice, suddenly my options are cruelly and brutally limited to a few australian long grain white rice. I almost flung my arms in despair. What?! No more Thai rice that entice my hunger with it steaming fragrance, working up my appetite?! Forlonly, almost pick up this nasty looking australian grain until at the bottom obsure shelf, i spotted a pack of jasmine rice. The one and only pack!! Horray!!!! I could almost weeped with joy!! However please note, jasmine rice cost more than double the rice. Do i look like i effing care?!! Ha ha! Firmly tucked under my arm i headed to check out.

Also, luckily I have one small shelf labelled "Asian Food", so thankfully i still could locate my chilli sauce with ease, though they apparently have never heard of this thing called "Chinese Rice Wine". Great. Wine prob only consists of white or red wine here, sigh...

2 comments:

Ah Dom said...

it is actually the same in NZ supermarket. most consumables are made in NZ. not very open theme at all. actually you need to search and i am 100% sure that there are small asian stores that sell ur milk!! or prob just go to the farm and DIY.

Nomad said...

really?! yah i know some small stores hsould have but just a hassle lor for food... why canx they be more open.. sigh....