Iqaluit (Mar 03/03) - Finding pieces of dried fish from Hong Kong and mango curries from India in Nunavut used to be a big challenge, but not any more.

Stores in the territory are expanding their selection to include everything from classic Canadian products to international favourites.

Dorothy Audlakiak, left, and Sheila Kownirk, hold up some of the most exotic items that can be found at Iqaluit's Arctic Ventures. - Christine Kay/NNSL photo

Nunavut's capital has the most imports to offer. Arctic Ventures even has several small aisles with an international selection.

"We find the items and we bring them in. We bring in what people want, what they are looking for," said Arctic Ventures Manager, John Bens.

Some of the most unusual items include quail eggs in water for $3.99 and canned breadfruit nuts for $3.99. Breadfruits are from the Dominican Republic and they are part of the fig family. They are also a staple food in Hawaii.

There's also Tahina from Lebanon for $4.99 which is basically the same price as a small jar of peanut butter. The great thing about exotic food in Iqaluit is that it's reasonably priced.

Don Oliver, manager of the Northern Store in Arctic Bay said he likes to bring up lobster once and a while. He said it's Canadian but it sure isn't found in the North.

"It's something different. We'll skip it for a couple of weeks and bring it in again. I think it's from Vancouver," said Oliver.

Of course, Oliver also noted most of the fresh produce is from places like Chile.

Nunavut's most southern community tends to stick to the basics. Dwayne Searle, manager of Mitiq Co-op in Sanikiluaq, said he sticks to the basics because that's what people eat. He buys mostly Canadian products -- chips and pop, he says.

"We bring up the basics like apples, oranges and broccoli but we don't really stray much. I guess the most exotic item we would have are sesame seed snaps. They're made in Poland," said Searle.

Wherever they're made, Searle said if people want something, he'll get it.

It seems that is the winning equation -- if enough people want something and are willing to pay for it, it will become available.