Australian shoppers keen to fill trolleys with home-grown produce
Food lovers around the nation are confident that Australian grown food is best, according to new research by craft beer specialist James Squire.
The consumer study discovered that around 84% of Australian shoppers would rather purchase locally sourced produce because they believe it tastes better.
An identical 84% consider the origin of their groceries before committing to a purchase and four out of five (80%) specifically seek out Australian-grown produce when they are trawling supermarket shelves, James Squire advised.
At a regional level, Tasmanians are the most likely to consider the supply chain when purchasing groceries, with 93 per cent indicating they regularly take into account where their food is coming from. South Australians, on the other hand, were the least likely to give it a second thought (82%).
The local food mantra goes beyond mere thoughts and considerations, however, with more than half of Australian consumers actually prepared to pay up to 20% more for good quality, local produce, according to the research. And at least 18% of Australians would consider paying up to half as much again, while a small percentage (7%) would be prepared to pay 50% or more for better quality, locally grown food.
I was shocked to find that ‘well known Australian brand’ bag of frozen beans in my freezer where grown in China. I could not find a way to cook them without them ending up a soggy mess and this prompted me to read the bag more closely.
Never again will I buy frozen veges without checking out the country of origin first. I would rather go without in preference to buying overseas vegatables.
This problem is widespread, and consumer loyalty to iconic Aussie brands now overseas owned and controlled, is at the root of the problem. It should be mandatory to display the flag of the country of ownership. It is also far too easy to say a product is made in Australia, and gloss over the fact that it contains foreign ingredients.
To earn the right to bear an Australian flag, it should be all Australian ingredients, and Australian owned and operated.
Point in case….is James Squire now not part of the Kirin empire…………