Book Description

In most countries, wholesale markets remain an essential link between production and consumption. That they should be well managed is essential as higher marketing costs lead to lower prices for producers and higher prices charged to consumers. Inefficient markets also increase the risk of problems of hygiene, environmental degradation and transport congestion, among others. With rapid urban growth, wholesale markets will continue to channel a wide variety of produce to urban consumers, despite the development of new distribution techniques, such as direct supply from farmers to supermarkets. This manual analyses the political, legal, economic and commercial aspects of the management and operations of wholesale markets. The European experience in Spain, France, Germany, Britain and Italy is presented; as well as in Japan, Hong Kong, the USA, South Africa, Australia and Argentina.