The 'made in China' tag that seems to appear on almost everything these days does not necessarily mean those products are cheaper on the mainland.
Many Shenzhen housewives are upset that a lot of mainland-manufactured groceries and items cost less to buy in Hong Kong. Such is the effect of inflation across the border.
Han Mei , 57, a retiree from Henan who has lived in Shenzhen for more than a decade, was forced to give up eating Fuji apples from Shandong every day after the price of her favourite fruit rose from 6 yuan (HK$7) a kilogram last year to 16 yuan now. 'I used to have a Fuji apple every day but can't afford it any more now that they cost around 5 yuan each,' she said. 'I haven't eaten an apple for a week.'
Han's family travels every month to Hong Kong to shop for groceries and daily necessities. Han said she was really taken aback when she first found that food and other basic items on the other side of the border were cheaper. 'The grocery prices [in Shenzhen] are flying high this year ... my daughter has to visit Hong Kong every month for grocery items because things are selling much cheaper there and the quality is more reliable,' Han said.
Beijing on Thursday said inflation last month rose to 4.4 per cent - the highest in 25 months and well above the government's target of 3 per cent. Meanwhile, the value of the yuan against the Hong Kong dollar has been slowly but steadily rising over the past few years.
Take Fuji apples, for example. They cost about HK$10 for four in supermarkets in Hong Kong, or 2.15 yuan each, half the price at wholesale markets on the mainland.