Melbourne Market, a wholesale institution nearly as old as Victoria itself, is fundamental to Australia’s fresh produce industry.
Located on a 70ha site at Epping in the city’s north, Melbourne Market represents the critical link between growers, wholesalers, retailers, foodservice and distributors in the fresh produce and flower supply chain.
More than 10,000 access cardholders use the market, buying and selling fresh produce in the early morning for distribution across Victoria and Australia.
Melbourne Market Authority Chief Operating Officer David Whitchelo says more than 1800 individual fruit and vegetable buyers, representing independent greengrocers, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and food processors, source their produce direct from the market.
“If a line of fresh produce exists, you’ll likely find it at the Melbourne Market,” he says.
“With a combination of large wholesalers through to small growers, the most common produce through to all types of exotic lines can be found on-site.”
Melbourne Market’s 12,500sqm fruit and vegetable trading floor has capacity for 330 stands, with the ‘buyers’ walk’ containing 156 permanent stores leased by store holders.
Having such a large range of fresh produce under one roof is aimed at ensuring retailers can meet the needs of consumers.
With around $2 billion of produce traded each year at Melbourne Market, the site is home to the largest national wholesalers down to the smallest family farm operators.
“The Melbourne Market has an abundance of people and businesses willing to provide advice on seasonality, new products, pricing, stock availability and so much more,” Mr Whitchelo says.
“Visit the Melbourne Market and speak to growers, fruiterers and wholesalers to hear everything about fresh produce, first-hand, from the experts.”
Read more about Melbourne Market in the June issue of Retail World.