Price comparison: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream prices

There are some items that a long-term business traveler or an expatriate and their family might not be able to live without and one such item or treat might just be Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. Travelers and expatriates coming to Asia will be happy to note that Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is readily available throughout major cities in the region. However, for Americans who have a craving for Ben & Jerry’s, expect to pay the same hefty premium that you find yourself paying in Europe when you buy it in major Asian cities.

In fact, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a 500 ml or 1 pint container of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and found prices in Asia to be more than double what one would pay in New York (US$3.32) for the same pint. And unfortunately, this is one treat that you won’t be able to stock up on before leaving or have mailed to you once you are settled in Asia!

Nevertheless, there are plenty of other local alternatives or substitutes to choose from that no doubt come with fewer calories…

Price Comparison*

Singapore	S$15	US$10.28
Paris	€7	US$9.19
Brussels	€6	US$8.34
Kuala Lumpur	29 Ringgit	US$8.18
Frankfort	€5	US$7.76
Bangkok	299 Baht	US$8.76
Hong Kong	HK$60	US$7.73
London	4 Pounds	US$6.60
New York	US$3.32	US$3.32

*500 ml or 1 pint. Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of August 19, 2009.