You won't lack for anything at the Russian market

The Moscow Rizhsky market is mainly known for its flowers, but fruit and vegetable lovers will enjoy it too. The marketers have a fantastic presentation. But, where do those wild peaches come from?

The Rizksky market has a long history and used to be the city's largest market, primarily thanks to the flower trade. The market is located in a building from the 80's at the moment.

Towards the end and after the fall of communism there were a wide range of kiosks with Western and not necessarily legal products around the Rizhsky market. Now the stores around this market are slightly run down, but the market is still flourishing. Literally, as flowers are even more clearly the centrepiece after a thinning out of the shady shops at the start of this century: the two paths along the edges are filled with flower stalls. In the middle there are ten or so fruit and vegetable stalls and other fresh products are sold too.

The market still has a slightly rough image, but is a good visit. The market is mainly visited by florists and flower traders. Consumers can also buy a bouquet. As far as fruit and vegetables are concerned the market is mainly interesting for catering. The prices are higher than in the supermarkets.
The products look good and clear care is taken on the presentation. Even when visiting in the afternoon, the stalls are full of unpackaged wares. The products are also regularly lightly humidified with bottles of water with holes in them.

Of course, due to the boycott no European products are to be found on the market, but the attentive viewer may wonder where the wild peaches come from. Earlier this summer it was reported that European stone fruit 

can be abundantly found on the Russian market. Countries of origin are reported on signs: a lot of Azerbaijan, Israel, Iran and of course Russia and Belarus. Also striking: various kinds of grapes, potatoes, melons, stone and soft fruit, all impeccably presented.

What is striking about the assortment of vegetables is the quality, which defines it from what is found in most supermarkets. There is a lack of product differentiation: a cherry tomato won't be found here, neither will peppers and colours and specialties also seem to be lacking in the market for now.