Many Supermarkets Are Selling More And More Products That Are Imported From Other Countries | Band 8 IELTS Essay Sample
Many supermarkets are selling more and more products that are imported from other countries instead of selling food that is locally sourced. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or a negative development?
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Band 8 IELTS essay sample
Nowadays, it is common for vendors in many countries to sell imported food instead of locally grown produce. There are many reasons for this and one of them is the consumer preference for exotic foods grown abroad. In my opinion, there are more advantages than disadvantages to this development.
Due to growing consumerism and exposure to foreign cuisine, people are now showing a greater interest in consuming imported foods. For example, pomegranates are hugely popular among US consumers although the country does not have the right climate for growing this fruit. Hence, America imports huge quantities of pomegranates from tropical countries. Supermarkets are stocking these foods because they easily attract the consumer who wants to taste something new and exotic. Locally grown foods, on the other hand, lack this appeal because they are all too familiar to people.
When food is imported, it can hurt the livelihood of local farmers. Sometimes, the imported food is cheaper than locally available food. In this case, the consumer will definitely show a preference for the imported one. This affects the livelihood of local farmers. Another downside of importing foods is that preservatives have to be added to them to increase their shelf life. Regular consumption of these foods can cause various health problems in people. Importing has environmental consequences too. Food has to be transported thousands of miles and huge amounts of fossil fuels are burnt to achieve this.
In short, supermarkets are selling imported food because consumers want to enjoy new tastes and flavours. In my opinion, this practice of importing food can hurt local farmers. It is not good for the environment or health either.
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