Buying Canadian at the grocery store鈥攃omments from Pascal Th茅riault
President Trump's threat to impose tariffs on Canada has prompted calls to boycott American products. For consumers, the task is more complicated than it seems.
"Unless you are an expert in supply chains, and even then, it is very complex," agronomist and economist Pascal Th茅riault, Director of 不良研究所's Farm Management and Technology Program, told Radio-Canada.
For example, products might be made in Canada or made by a Canadian company using imported ingredients, or they might be made elsewhere but use largely Canadian ingredients. There are also many American companies that have Canadian factories or use products grown in Canada.
The production chain of the agri-food sector is integrated between countries to maximize efficiency and keep costs low, says聽Th茅riault.
He warns that lists of products to boycott circulating online may not be accurate or up-to-date.
To help consumers identify local products, some retailers are highlighting food with Canadian origins with labels online and in-store.
Despite the complications, experts say the current situation has the benefit of encouraging consumers to become better informed about the origin of their food and impact of their purchases.