Marketing Much fresh food produce is sold in wholesale markets managed by the AFCD, the Vegetable Marketing Organisation and the Fish Marketing Organisation. The Western Wholesale Food Market and the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market Phase I are the two biggest market complexes developed and managed by the department. Each is an integration of several markets. The Western Wholesale Food Market, for example, accommodates markets for freshwater fish, vegetables, fruit, poultry and eggs and allows buyers to purchase a variety of fresh food produce under one roof. Apart from these market complexes, the AFCD also operates temporary wholesale markets at North District and Cheung Sha Wan for agricultural products and chickens respectively. The plan for the development of Phase II of the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market is being reviewed in the light of the views expressed by the trade associations concerned. During the year, the Government's
wholesale markets handled The Vegetable Marketing Organisation
is established as a non-government body providing vegetable wholesale
marketing facilities. It operates a vegetable wholesale market at Cheung
Sha Wan, set up under the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance
on a non-profit-making basis. It charges commission on the vegetables
sold and in return provides trading facilities, transport, accounting,
and pesticides residue testing services to farmers and traders. Any surplus
is ploughed back into the development of farming and the provision of
scholarships for farmers' children. During the year, the organisation
handled The Fish Marketing Organisation
is a statutory body established under the Marine Fish (Marketing) Ordinance.
It provides orderly marketing services at its seven wholesale markets.
Revenue comes from charging commission on the proceeds of sales. Surplus
earnings are channelled back into the industry through the provision of
low-interest loans to fishermen, improved services and facilities in the
markets and scholarships for fishermen's children. During the year, |