Bridgetown - Post Report Question and Answers
How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are EXPENSIVE here and you quickly learn why there’s a high COLA! Using the DPO to order your pantry non-perishables, cleaning and paper products will save your budget. Anticipate perishable items just costing more than ‘normal’ in the US. Grocery stores do look like small US stores and have pretty much everything (imported). - Aug 2019
There is wide availability of canned and boxed goods. However, the goods aren’t consistently available, so people tend to hoard items if they see something they like. Fresh vegetables and fruits are sorely lacking. You can find them, but your selection will be limited and you will pay obscene prices. Because the prices are so high (everything is shipped in via boat and airplane), many people buy their basic food items from Amazon and other such companies. You will be able to find British (Waitrose) and Canadian (President’s Choice) products very easily. There is so much parsley. If you love parsley you will be set for life. If you want cilantro, however, be prepared to scavenge and hoard. - May 2018
Very, very, very expensive. Plan for everything to be three times as much and half the quality and you'll be fine. COLA is high for a reason. Most everything is available, some of the time, but not everything is available all of the time.
Markets are an awesome deal - there is a major one downtown on Saturdays and some smaller ones scattered around other days. A lot of expats go to Brighton market, which has a play area for kids, arts and crafts, and fresh fruits, veggies and juices. It is only open Saturday mornings 6-10 am and you should go early. Downtown has a dizzying array of foods, spices, etc., but a lot of expats don't brave the crowds which is a mistake - the prices are great, the produce is fresh (a lot of it is flown in or shipped in from nearby islands just for Saturday market and does not make it to regular supermarkets).
Buying produce from roadside stands is also safe and a better bet than the limp veggies and spoiling fruit you will find in all the supermarket chains. If there is a roof over your head when you're buying it, chances are the food you have in your hand is already rotting. - Jul 2016
In DC our grocery bill was around $100 per week. In Barbados it's around $175-200. The COLA makes up for it. No problems with availability as long as you are flexible with brand and price. - Mar 2013
Laugh!!! everything is triple in price and not many choices - Nov 2011
Groceries are almost double US prices. There are several supermarkets and a couple of membership markets (like Sam's Club) here. - Jun 2011
Availability is pretty good, but import duties roughly double the price. There is a nice local costco-type store, and decent local grocery options. Produce, particularly fruits, is lacking, and milk is shelf milk, but it is fairly easy to get what you need if you are willing to pay. It is EXPENSIVE to live here, and I can't figure out how there are import duties of over 100% and VAT of 17.5% but a COLA of only 35%.It doesn't come close to covering the expense. - Dec 2010
Groceries are expensive (milk is $10/gallon).This is an island, that's what you get. - Feb 2010
US$10.00 for a gallon of milk, everything else is about the same line. 20% COLA is not enough. - Jan 2009
