The South Australian Produce Market Limited is the premier fresh produce wholesale market for the state where over 250,000 tonnes of fresh produce with a wholesale value of over $590M is traded between our wholesalers, growers and retail operators every year. The market offers various value add services through our associated businesses including retail marketing programs, public relations, daily supply and price monitoring, inspection and quality control, banking and credit service facilities, logistics and pallet management.

The market provides a rich environment that fosters competitive trade and efficient distribution and market forces determine the prices. With an estimated 10,000 individuals accessing the market site each week, the market offers freedom of choice, with an extensive range of product variety, quality and price and provides users with access to a large customer base and the ability to develop business and industry contacts by providing a unique environment that promotes healthy and open competition.

Market operations are complex, with masses of highly perishable fresh produce passing through each day which is consumed locally, nationally and now internationally.

For this reason the market facilities have been planned and constructed to receive, store, trade and distribute highly perishable fresh fruit and vegetables in the most efficient manner available to meet the ever increasing demand.

Wholesale markets role

Wholesale markets are situated throughout the world and offer a structured trading environment where all industry sectors are able to meet and collectively trade. Within Australia there are six wholesale markets, predominantly one operating in each state.

Why are wholesale markets so important?
Wholesale markets play a significant role within Australia’s horticulture industry as the major distribution point of the nation’s fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. The majority of Australia’s fresh produce is either traded or transhipped through Australia’s wholesale markets providing a critical link within the industry involving growers, wholesalers, retailers and associated industry groups.

History

In South Australia up until the mid 1800’s produce grown was sold directly to the fruit and vegetable shop owners, however by the mid 1860’s, the number of grower and fruit and vegetable shops grew dramatically and the South Australian Government regulated the trading of fruit and vegetables. In response to this, the East End Market Company and Adelaide Fruit and Produce Exchange were founded and operated in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD just off East Terrace for 30 and 84 years respectively.

By the mid 1980s, with an increasing population and production costs, Adelaide’s wholesale fruit and vegetable market was proving to be too small and inefficient and additional operating space was required. In 1987 growers, wholesalers and retailers formed a private company, South Australian Produce Markets and began construction of a new market complex in the northern suburb of Pooraka. Officially opening in October 1988, South Australian Produce Market was the first privately owned Market in Australia.