Something that we all experienced in the last year or so was the marvel of panic buying. A lot has been going on in the world in the last year, from global pandemics to a decrease in lorry drivers all around the world. Unfortunately, due to all of the issues that we have been facing, some people lost a lot of common sense and bought the majority of the products that we have in our stores.

The lack of resources that we have had has made a lot of us question if we have become too dependent on imported goods, which has made a lot of people choose to start buying locally. Many of us have been left in a state of confusion as to which is the best of the two and researching it can lead you to a lot of conflicting opinions. To help you decide which is the best of the two, here are the pros and cons of buying locally and importing goods.

Importing Goods: Pros and Cons

One of the most obvious positives of importing goods is the cost. The main reason that a lot of companies choose to import products from different countries is the cost. It is a lot cheaper to manufacture products overseas and then import them over than it is to have them made locally. This cost is usually so low because of a difference in currency, as well as different regulations in concerns to the amount of money that needs to be paid to workers within these countries.

Another positive to importing goods is that some countries simply produce materials and foods that others don’t, which means that it is necessary to purchase products from these countries. For example, if we were to source produce from our own countries only, more than half of the world would be unable to eat foods like chocolate as they cannot be produced locally.

Cons of Importing Goods

One of the biggest cons of importing goods from across the world is the environmental damage that it can cause. Most produce is transported via ship or plane and if you are living in Australia, most produce comes in through some of the major cities and then is distributed across the world. Some businesses choose to source their products independently and use some of the many available air freight Perth has to offer. Though air travel has become much greener, flying still has some environmental impacts that are contributing to global warming, which is why many people are choosing to shop locally.

The Pros of Buying Locally

One of the biggest pros of buying local produce is that you are supporting local businesses. A lot of businesses have been hit economically by the distribution of the bigger businesses that are importing their goods because they are often much cheaper. By buying locally, you are adding to your local economy and supporting people that you may even know, which creates a feeling of community that is much needed during these difficult times.

The cons of buying locally

Unfortunately, when you buy locally you have to expect to spend far more. This is because of the fair payment of employees that is required by local businesses, which is a good thing if you look at it in terms of fairness. However, this will mean less profit for your own business, which is not ideal if you are already struggling to make money.

Another negative of buying local is that sometimes local vendors simply do not stock what you need, due to local manufacturing and what can be produced with local materials and produce.