Why does local produce cost more than imported?

Question

I thought the whole idea was for people to buy local and fresh during the summer so why are are these supermarkets pushing horrid imported produce and a fraction of the price of local? (eg. FRESH strawberries local $4.99/qt. sit rotting while imported sells for $1.49? Nothing to do with cost to grow either...just a selling ploy as local is cheaper that supermarket costs in mom/pop stores)

I think there is something seriously wrong with this approach and I for one have been buying my produce in local mom and pop shops that gets it fresh from the local markets each day.

God only knows what they put on imported goods and I'm sick and tired of hearing "recalls" and warnings of e-coli infected foods etc.

How do you get people to do the same? Don't you think we should support local wherever possible?

I just hate that I am forced to shop at various different places because the quality sucks in supermarkets. It shouldn't be that way.

Answer 1

this might be the reason that organic is becoming popular, or some of us still grow our own tomatoes, onions, etc..

Answer 2

Actually, it has a lot to do with cost. The mom and pop stores who buy from local farms are paying more than the national chains. The local farms aren't using hydroponics or growing huge farms that are more like factories. So the big chains are buying their goods cheaper.

Second, the big chains have a lower profit margin due to their size. Their mark-ups can be smaller due to their size. So when you take into account they can buy it cheaper and then have a lower mark-up %, that gives them all the advantage in the world.

The other thing going for the huge farms is they know their product will be purchased by the large chain. The local farmer has to call the local small stores and tell them what he has and they will tell him how much they need. The farmer may not be able to sell all of his produce, which raises his cost per unit sold if he can't sell it all.

Another factor is the big guys have larger storage capacity. So the days from harvest to market can be longer. And the quality isn't as good, which also keeps cost down.

It isn't very good, but it is what it is.

Answer 3

interior of sight unfastened variety eggs are very probable to be what they say they are. imported egg manufacturers dont adjust to our regulations. the eggs are very probable no longer unfastened variety. their regulations are no longer comparable to ours. they have decrease standards. in case you're able to desire to purchase decrease priced eggs you're able to to boot purchase english production facility farmed eggs because of the fact their standards are probable no longer distinctive from the egg importers who faux the eggs are unfastened variety. imported pork would be greater inexpensive. yet pigs are reared in circumstances that arent allowed in england. as for veg... try becoming your very own. its sturdy. and you will advance all varieties of issues in small areas. you dont choose a huge backyard.

Answer 4

The little guy is gettin pushed out, slowly but surely....sad