Highlights:
- 40% of consumers refrain from buying products made in China as per a survey
- It has been one year since the Galwan Valley escalation between India and China
- The Indian Government also banned many China based apps like TikTok in India after the Galwan valley incident
One year after the Galwan valley escalation in tension between the two nations, India and China, which affected trade ties between the two nations, more than 40% of consumers refrained from buying Made in China products in the past 12 months, as per the survey conducted by LocalCircles.
The escalation between the two nations also forced the hand of Indian Government to ban several Chinese apps including the likes of Tik Tok, CamScanner and Club Factory. India also drummed up its Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign to drive the manufacturing and sale of locally made goods.
Local traders, too, called for a reduction in consumer goods which are imported from China, in 2020.
For the survey LocalCircles received 18,000 responses from consumers residing in 281 districts. As per the findings of the survey — 43% of the Indian consumers did not buy made in China products in the last 12 months.
In the statement, it said, “Breaking down the poll, 34% said they bought 1 or 2 products, while 8% bought between 3 to 5 goods.
“There were also 4% of consumers who bought 5-10 made in China products, 3% said 10-15, 1% said over 20, and another 1% said 15-20 products”.
Having said that, India’s dependence on the Made-in-China products remains on the higher side, given the Asian neighbour’s dominance in the electrical machinery, appliances and pharmaceutical drugs manufacturing is deeply rooted.
Demand for electronics remained especially high last year.
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Findings from LocalCircles’ survey said, “It must be kept in mind that there are many Made in China products that do not have an Indian counterpart that offers similar or higher value-quality-uniqueness combinations.
“Similarly, many global manufacturers of gadgets and appliances have their factories in China producing for global demand and while such products may carry a global brand name, they are produced in China”.
For example, during the second wave of the deadly Coronavirus, many Indians bought pulse oximeters that are largely made in China.
As a matter of fact, 70% of those surveyed bought made in China goods citing lower pricing as the key driver.
“According to most consumers, the Indian counterpart for a Chinese product is generally more expensive though it might be of better quality.
“However, many festival-related items like LED lighting, tea-light candles, plastics, are one-time-use products and hence quality is not the top criteria for many consumers.
“For some, China-made products like mobile phones, air purifiers, gadgets and appliances are equal or better in quality,” the survey said.
