"The potential reopening of the hospitality industry in January or March would not play a major role"

The Lockdown Light is still worrying traders at the Cologne wholesale market. "Up to the beginning of the current partial lockdown, we were still able to sell relatively well. But at the moment, things are very quiet at the wholesale market, because the catering sales division is as good as dead," says…

West Bengal wholesalers not allowed to store more than 25 tons of potatoes and onions

To control the rising onion and potato prices, the West Bengal government has issued a directive that no wholesale trader will be allowed to store more than 25 tons and those…

"We can only hope that the sector will recover quickly, returning to its usual levels"

The second lockdown in Germany is taking its toll on the fruit and vegetable trade. Even those who are indirectly or only partially affected by the closure of the hospitality industry are noticing the effects. Wholesalers have the economic advantage of systemic relevance, but on the other hand they have…

"The avocado proves to be a permanent fixture"

With the end of autumn and colder temperatures approaching, these days more and more exotic fruits are ending up in the shopping carts of consumers, who in the summer months have access to the abundant seasonal and regional fruit selections. Probably the most popular of the exotic fruits is the avocado,…

Wholesale markets also seeing pandemic-related changes

While much has been said about how retailers and restaurants are making their way through the pandemic, with the onset of the second COVID-19 wave, how are things faring with the country’s wholesale markets? This time, they’re better prepared says Earl’s Organic Produce, a merchant within the SF Market…

Lockdown affects business at Vienna wholesale market

At the beginning of last week, a renewed lockdown came into effect in Austria. A hard decision for the economy, and for the fruit industry there as well. The emergency measures have partly disastrous consequences for suppliers at the Vienna wholesale market Inzersdorf. A large proportion of the wholesale…

“Avocado demand dropped so low that we stopped picking in the orchards”

Although Covid-19 has remained relatively under control in New Zealand, the pandemic has had an effect on the fresh produce business in this region. Some categories have suffered during Covid related lockdowns, like avocados, while other fruits such as kiwifruit and citrus have performed better than…

Johannesburg Market: biggest fresh produce trading floor in Africa

Market agents arrive from 3am at the Johannesburg fresh produce market in City Deep where ten to fifteen thousand buyers daily start trading at 5am. Forty-eight percent of South Africa’s fresh produce market trade is conducted here, much of it destined to cross South Africa’s borders. Ecosystem of the…

Wholesale market sees greater demand for healthy foods

Like many businesses, the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market (PWPM) made changes to its businesses amidst the pandemic. For one, its hours have been adjusted—closing time is now at 10 a.m. for instance rather than 1 p.m. to accommodate the increases in the cleaning and sanitization schedules. Other…

"Chinese chestnut prices under pressure, but Nashi pears are very pricey"

The coronavirus pandemic is placing a lot of extra pressure on many companies at Rungis, the Parisian wholesale market. "In March, our turnover even increased by 30 to 40%," says Nico Schaft of 888 Fruit Company. "Our advantage is that we mainly supply wholesalers, supplemented with supermarkets in…

Increased interest from consumers during lock down

The fruit and vegetable trade remained busy during the first lockdown and this was also the case for businesses in New Spitalfields wholesale market in London. “For most of the traders business remained buoyant but for some of the tenants who supplied the caterers it was tough,” explains Jan Hutchinson,…

The Rungis market awaits Sicilian produce

FreshPlaza talked to Calogero Montana from the international Montana Groupe, with various branches in Italy and France, for an overview of the dynamics of the European fresh produce market. The entrepreneur reported on the most popular products at the Rungis wholesale market.  Calogero Montana "The Italian…

"Every year we are being offered five varieties that claim to be the new Pink Lady"

Apples are one of the staple foods in the German retail trade; right now consumers are enjoying freshly harvested produce. Every year there are new club varieties that want to conquer this market, but these unfortunately often only have moderate successes, says Denis Piper from Melzig LLC in…

"Thanks to the sales from our stocks we are able to fully utilize our employees, even in the lockdown"

The German fruit and vegetable industry is back in lockdown mode. Delivery and collection services are being resumed and wholesalers are opening their doors to consumers to compensate for losses from the catering industry. Früchte Braun LC, for example, is now opening its doors three days a week at its…

K. Pichumani

Wholesale fruit market reopened at Koyambedu

On Monday, after nearly six months, the wholesale fruit market reopened at Koyambedu in Chennai, India. According to the traders there, the response was poor on the first day, which they attributed to the Madhavaram temporary market still being open. Image: K. Pichumani The fruit market was shifted to the Madhavaram temporary…

"The geopolitical situation does not help stimulate citrus sales"

"It is quiet in the citrus market," says Benoît Maillard-Guillon, of Ets Meseguer, in Rungis. "The geopolitical situation does not help stimulate sales. In general, trade is good when things are going well. After the terrorist attacks and the spread of Covid-19, there is a great feeling of fear and…

Tours of Melbourne Wholesale Markets resume after COVID-19 lockdowns

Tours of the Melbourne Wholesale Market in Epping have started back this week after COVID-19 restrictions and the lockdown in Melbourne forced a 7-month break to the visitor service operated by C the Market. Owner Jan Claire explains her business offers fully escorted private tours catering for those new…

2nd lock down will be very different from the first - then Brexit

England will go into a second lock down on Thursday and things for the fresh produce sector will be very different than first time round, the duration of the lock down is uncertain, but it will be quickly followed by Brexit on 1st January. “The last lock we had an amazing transformation in our business,…

Slight dip for UK fruit and veg wholesaler Minor, Weir and Willis

Due to a challenging year, turnover and pre-tax profits dipped at a Birmingham-based global importer and wholesaler of fresh fruit and vegetables. Minor, Weir and Willis,…

"We have to salute those merchants who, during the crisis, worked hard to feed the people"

While the Coronavirus crisis continues to plunge the whole world into a totally unprecedented situation, Frédéric Champion, from Pomleg, a company based at the Rungis MIN, wants to pay tribute to the men and women who risked their lives for several weeks to feed the people of Paris: "It should be noted…

FreshPlaza November Special - Wholesale Markets

FreshPlaza will be will be highlighting Wholesale markets in our November special. It has been a very challenging year for everyone in the trade, some people are up and some are down as a result. In most cases fresh produce has done reasonably well as people look to eat heathier, but how has the pandemic…