WUWM 29th Congress The environment and the future of wholesale markets

23 - 26 September 2015
Campinas, Brazil

Executive summary:

During the 29th WUWM Congress in Campinas over 400 delegates from 29 countries met and discussed new scenarios for the food supply chain in the face of climate change, such as adopting to products that have less stress on water resources. Experts also discussed the current challenges for modernizing wholesale markets in Latin America, including the importance of public policies in obtaining a more sustainable and nutritious food supply. Furthermore, the conference discussed wholesale market efficiency and specialization in the 21st century, and new food retail distribution models for traditional wholesale markets, such as the inclusion of innovative technologies to reduce food and fruit loss.

The key outcomes of this meeting are:

  1. Attendants recognized the importance of wholesale markets considerations of the environment, giving concerns about the effect of climate change on the global food scene, the tremendous pressure on water resources, and growing demands to reduce the environmental and social impact of food production processes;
  2. Attendants stressed the importance of Brazil as one of the leading producers of fruits and vegetables worldwide, and recognized the importance of public policies in stimulating and strengthening the agricultural output of small farms and the consolidation of food and nutritional security policies;
  3. The partnership of WUWM and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations will result in exchanging information and disseminating good commercial practices in markets, improving food distribution infrastructure (setup, wholesale, retail, including storage) of any sized market in urban and peri-urban areas. In addition, it will put forward alternative solutions to operational and logistics constraints, integrating small-scale farmers, facilitating access for consumers, improving compliance with rules and regulations, providing better services and introducing new technology;
  4. The creation of a regulatory framework was proposed in member markets that establishes regulations supporting a more proactive replacement of current commercial models with those that may further reduce waste, recycle materials, and employ renewable energies and resources in their markets. Thereby ensuring sustained productivity by prioritizing social growth – without having a negative impact on technological modernization – and encouraging independent integration into both economic and social processes;
  5. Introducing innovative technology in markets can contribute effectively to reducing the current heavy loss of fruit and vegetables in the global food production chain;
  6. Promoting greater synergy between wholesale markets and small and medium retail businesses as a means to develop the economy, strengthen production, and boost local and regional cultural ties.
  7. Stimulating consumption of fruit and vegetables using promotional campaigns such as the international “Love Your Local Market” (LYLM) campaign;
  8. Encouraging members to continue stimulating the market and increased consumption of fresh products, in an environment offering fairer, more sustainable, economic, social and environmentally friendly market practices.

Main issues discussed:

  • New Scenarios for the Food Supply Chain in the Face of Climate Change
    • Evaristo Eduardo de Miranda, Researcher, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corp, Brazil
  • Challenges for Modernizing Wholesale Markets in Latin America
    • Debate Panel:
      • Manuel Estrada, WUWM Chairman & International Department Chief, Mercasa, Spain
      • Carlos Colacce Molinari, President, Montevideo Wholesale Market, Uruguay
      • Julio Cesar Chavez Serna, General Manager, Mexico City Wholesale Market, Mexico
      • Jose Antonio Luna Bazo, General Manager, Municipal Markets Company SA (EMMSA), Peru
      • Mauricio Parra, General Manager, Corabastos, Colombia
  • Wholesale Market Efficiency and Specialisation in the 21st Century
    • Prof Walter Belik, Campinas University, Brazil
    • Paulo Jobin Filho, CEO, Rio de Janeiro Market (CEASA/RJ), Brazil
    • Dominique Batani, Director, Rungis Market, France
    • Andrés de Pando, International Director, Mercasa, Spain
  • Value Chain Integration: Production, Wholesale and Retail
    • Debate Panel:
      • Prof José Luiz Tejon, ESPM, Brazil
      • Elizabeth Banthem, Chair, Maryland Food Center Authority (MFCA), USA
      • Fabrizio Venturini, Head of Corporate Communications, CAR Scpa, Rome, Italy
      • Carlos Feoli Escalante, General Manager, Pima Cenada, Costa Rica
      • Timo Taulavuori, Managing Director , City of Helsinki Wholesale Market, Finland
  • New Food Retail Distribution Models for Traditional Wholesale Markets – Promotional Campaigns for Increased Consumption
    • Roberto Alonso, WUWM Retail Vice-Chair, Market Consultant, Roberto Alonso Consultores, Spain
    • Gonzalo Bravo Baltra, Director and General Manager, Lo Valledor Market, Chile
    • Artur Saabor

Outcomes agreed to in the Declaration of 25 September 2015 (unanimous agreement of):

  1. Recognition:
    • Recognizing the importance of the theme explored at this 29th WUWM Congress, given concerns about the effect of climate change on the global food scene, the tremendous pressure on water resources and growing demands to reduce the environmental and social impact of food production processes;
    • Recognizing that the city of Campinas was chosen to host this event because of its high economic and social standing, its development of a technological park, and its wholesale market (CEASACAMPINAS) – one of the most important agri-food product trading centers in the country, and one at which public food security policies are continually being developed. The delegates also recognize that this 29th WUWM Congress is fundamental to launching CEASA Campinas and its traders onto the international market, especially in view of the high level of production quality in the region as well as the available logistics infrastructure for exports;
    • Recognizing and stressing the importance of the leadership of the Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo (São Paulo Wholesale Market and General Warehouses Company – CEAGESP) in the management of wholesale markets, the delegates at this event fully advocate the decision to develop and build a new wholesale market in the city in accordance with modern logistics, environmental and food security requirements, which will create a new model for Brazilian CEASAs (wholesale market supply centers);
    • Recognizing the work being done by the Associação Brasileira das Centrais de Abastecimento (Brazilian Association of wholesale market supply centres) – ABRACEN – to integrate and support Brazilian CEASAs through the exchange of expertise and experience, with a view to modernizing the technical design and management of its markets;
    • Recognizing and highlighting the importance of Brazil as one of the leading producers of fruits and vegetables worldwide, and recognizing the importance of public policies in stimulating and strengthening the agricultural output of small farms and the consolidation of food and nutritional security policies;
    • The signatories recognize and reiterate the importance − for all affiliated WUWM markets − of the entry of the WUWM into a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations with a view to exchanging information and disseminating good commercial practices in markets, improving food distribution infrastructure (setup, wholesale, retail, including storage) of any sized market in urban and peri-urban areas, putting forward alternative solutions to operational and logistics constraints, integrating small-scale farmers, facilitating access for consumers, improving compliance with rules and regulations, providing better services and introducing new technology. The delegates at this event reiterate the importance of this year’s theme to fresh produce wholesale and retail markets around the globe, and WUWM promotes the following commitments to its members:
  1. Commitments:
    • Proposing the creation of a regulatory framework in member markets that establishes regulations that support a more proactive replacement of current commercial models with those that may further reduce waste, recycle materials, employ renewable energies and resources in their markets, thereby ensuring sustained productivity by prioritizing social growth – without having a negative impact on technological modernization – and encouraging independent integration into both economic and social processes;
    • Introducing innovative technology in markets which can contribute effectively to reducing the current heavy loss of fruit and vegetables in the global food production chain;
    • Promoting greater synergy between wholesale markets and small and medium retail businesses as a means to develop the economy, strengthen production, and boost local and regional cultural ties.
    • Stimulating consumption of fruit and vegetables using promotional campaigns such as the international “Love Your Local Market” (LYLM) campaign;
    • Lastly, encouraging members to continue stimulating the market and increased consumption of fresh products, in an environment offering fairer, more sustainable, economic, social and environmentally friendly market practices.
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