Preliminary results for a survey by WUWM were revealed at the congress.

The study aimed to update the last survey undertaken in 2004 and promote the importance of the wholesale market sector, presenting the true size and range of activities undertaken by WUWM members.

The results will be sent to decision-makers at international, national and regional levels.

The survey, completed in September 2008, received questionnaires from 128 markets in 38 countries, with updated data for 2006 or using what was received in 2004.

The responses represented more than 90 per cent of the total number of WUWM wholesale market members, so can be regarded as representative of member activities.

The survey found that WUWM member wholesale markets turn over more than €55 billion (£31.3bn) and market more than 54 million tonnes between them.

The sites cover a total area of 14m square metres, receive 550,000 visitors every day and serve 20 per cent of the world population.

Fruit and vegetables are sold on almost all member markets (98 per cent), meat is sold on half the markets, fish on two-thirds of the markets and flowers on more than 50 per cent of the sites. Non-food products are available on 58 per cent of the markets.

Around half the markets belong to the public sector, 32 per cent are semi-public entities and 13 per cent are fully privatised.

The survey found that more than 70 per cent of WUWM wholesale market members are seen as providing a public service.

An average of €200m has been invested in markets every year from 2000 to 2006, mainly in Europe, for the maintenance of buildings and upgrades to meet health and safety requirements.

WUWM secretary general Maria Cavit said: “These findings have stirred up significant interest and are valuable in determining the role of markets in Europe and globally.”

Jean-Paul Auguste, chairman of GroupeGeraud, is keen for WUWM to improve its survey next year. He said: “We should begin to write a framework to organise our future…

“We are not beggars; we will not need to beg for help. We are a business for the future, but we have to adapt.”

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