WUWM retail markets

The event focuses on the wholesale sector

The World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) has unveiled details of its 29th congress, which takes place in Brazil later this month.

The congress is being held in the city of Campinas from 23-26 September, with the overall theme of ‘the environment and the future of wholesale markets’.

Key topics under discussion include how the food supply chain is adapting to the pressures of climate change; challenges for modernising wholesale markets in Latin America; wholesale market efficiency and specialisation in the 21st century; value chain integration; production, wholesale and retail; and new food retail distribution models for traditional wholesale markets.

There will also be technical market visits to three markets – in Campinas, São Paulo’s CEAGESP wholesale market, and a retail market, the Municipal Marketplace of São Paulo.

The Campinas market is 500,000 sq m in size, with 920 traders selling 66,000 tonnes of product per month, and some 15,000 people entering the market on a daily basis.

CEAGESP is made up of 13 market halls and moves 4.3 billion tonnes of fresh produce, flowers and fish with a sales value of $2.7 billion. It also features the largest public warehouses, silos and grain storage in Brazil.

The Municipal Marketplace is a 12,600 sq m tourist attraction with many types of food stalls.

The congress is hosted by the Brazilian wholesale markets’ association, ABRACEN, and is expected to be attended by delegates from more than 40 countries.