Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced. Is this a positive or negative development? More and more food stores sell foreign produce rather than locally grown one these days. Though there are some negative implications of this development, I am of the view that it is a change for the better.
True, the fact that a growing number of supermarkets sell imported food predominately has some consequences. The main detriment is to local farmers. Local farmers whose livelihood generally depends on revenue from food sales will largely be impacted by their foreign competitors, seeing as overseas producers tend to have superior farming technology and easy access to international market. Having lost their edge in the market, local farmers are put out of business, which creates local unemployment. Besides, importation of food often means consumers are overcharged. That is, supply chain costs associated with processing, packaging, shipping and storing food create unnecessary expense for the end consumer, making imported food poor value for money.
Despite these downsides, an increasing trend towards selling imported produce is, to my mind, a favorable turn of events. One positive outcome would be creation of a competitive food market. Being forced to compete with foreign producers, local farmers attempt to improve the quality and affordability of their product to keep their share of the market. This ultimately leads to improved consumer satisfaction. Additionally, locals are able to enjoy foreign produce with relative ease. This is because no travelling is required to experience foods of other cultures. As someone who lives in a landlocked country, Uzbekistan, I have the luxury of trying seafood in my locality. In this sense, new experiences are possible for the consumer at minimal effort and time.
In conclusion, importation of food from other countries may not be a favorable change in some respects, yet I reckon it enables healthy market competition and a convenient way of experiencing exotic food items.
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