Buying locally made products is often associated with supporting domestic businesses, jobs and the national economy. But are consumers actually willing to pay more for products made in their own country?
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Two recent online surveys conducted in Canada and the United States reveal a significant difference in consumer attitudes.
Canada: Most Shoppers Would Not Pay More
Canadian consumers were asked: “Would you be willing to pay more for Canadian products?”
A total of 2,596 people participated in the survey at the time of writing.
No: 1,420 votes — 54.70%
Yes: 1,176 votes — 45.30%
The results show that while support for Canadian-made products remains substantial, a majority of respondents are not willing to pay a higher price for them.
With grocery bills and other household expenses putting pressure on budgets, price may ultimately outweigh country of origin for many Canadian consumers.
United States: Strong Support for Paying More for U.S.-Made Products
American consumers were asked a similar question:
“The Value of ‘Made in the USA’: Would You Pay More for U.S.-Made Products?”
The results were very different. Among 1,537 respondents:
Yes: 1,144 votes — 74.43%
No: 393 votes — 25.57%
Nearly three out of four respondents said they would be willing to pay more for products made in the United States.
The results reflect a Clear Canada–U.S. Divide. The contrast is substantial. Only 45.3% of Canadian respondents said they would pay more for Canadian products, compared with 74.4% of U.S. respondents who would pay more for American-made products.
Disclaimer: These results reflect only the views of those who chose to participate in the online polls. The surveys are not scientific or representative of the entire Canadian or U.S. population and should be interpreted as an informal snapshot of respondents’ opinions.