The number of Australians more likely to buy food products labelled ‘Made in Australia’ has increased over the last two years, according to the latest findings from Roy Morgan Research, climbing 3 per cent to 88 per cent.
The number of Aussies who say they would be more inclined to purchase food labelled ‘Made in China’ remained almost unchanged, hitting 6 per cent from the 5 per cent registered in 2013.
The results of the latest survey found key differences between those who preferred ‘Made in Australia’ foods and those that leaned towards ‘Made in China’ foods.
29 per cent of those buying ‘Made in China’ food said they would often buy frozen or chilled ready prepared meals, compared to 19 per cent of those buying food products ‘Made in Australia’. 35 per cent of Aussies eating China products said they would often buy food to eat at home, compared to 21 per cent of those eating Australian-made products.
Other findings include the difference between those leaning towards vegetarian foods, with 17 per cent of those eating ‘Made in China’ food and 11 per cent of those eating ‘Made in Australia food; and those wanting to restrict their consumption of fattening foods, with 63 per cent of those choosing ‘Made in Australia’ products and 51 per cent of those choosing ‘Made in China’ products.
Australians under 35 were found to be more likely to buy products from China, although food labelled Australian-made was more popular overall.
“We’ve been aware for some time that younger Australians tend to be more open to buying products made in countries other than Australia. Growing up in the digital age, they are used to having the international marketplace at their fingertips, courtesy of online retailers,” Michele Levine, CEO, Roy Morgan Research, said.
“Products manufactured in China are often considerably cheaper than goods made in many other countries (including Australia) — an added incentive for young people who may still be studying or earning a low wage.”
Ms Levine also pointed out that while Aussies born in Asia were more inclined to buy China-manufactured food, they were overall still more likely to buy ‘Made in Australia’ food products.
“It will be interesting to see whether attitudes to Chinese-manufactured food products shift in the wake of the recent Hepatitis scare caused by frozen berries imported from China,” Ms Levine added.
“Certainly, the call for clearer country-of-origin food labelling has never been more relevant.”
