- Published:
- Monday 31 August 2015
The Andrews Labor Government today welcomed the opening of Victoria’s new purpose built wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market in Epping, in Melbourne’s north.
The Victorian Government has made a significant investment in the future of Victoria’s horticultural industries with this state of the art facility.
Over 4,000 individual fruit and vegetable buyers representing independent greengrocers, supermarkets, restaurants and food processors source their produce direct from the market.
The new Epping facility will provide businesses and buyers with a safer, cleaner and more efficient market – providing benefits to the horticulture industry, the environment and the Victorian economy.
The market’s close proximity to Melbourne Airport will help horticulture growers and exporters supply more premium Victorian produce to key international markets.
The 70-hectare site offers the potential for 120,000 square metres of warehousing space, which is a significant increase on the 33,000 square metres of warehouse space available at the West Melbourne market site.
The warehousing component is currently one of the largest industrial developments in Australia, and is expected to increase efficiency in produce logistics and drive growth in the sector.
The Melbourne Market Authority is responsible for managing the site and its operations, including the Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market, National Flower Centre and a range of warehousing and distribution facilities.
The Melbourne Market Authority and the Victorian Government have worked closely with the market community over many years, and particularly in the lead up to the opening, to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.
Victoria’s $2.4 billion horticulture industry employs more than 9,000 people and accounts for more than half of Australia’s horticulture exports, worth $894 million.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“The Andrews Labor Government is supporting Victorian growers, wholesalers and retailers to buy and sell the freshest horticultural produce all year round. We welcome the opening of the new Melbourne Market.”
"This is a significant day as the new market has been a decade in the making. We thank all members of the market community for being part of an orderly move and look forward to working with them to grow their businesses.”
“This state of the art facility at Epping will ensure Victoria’s horticulture producers, wholesalers and exporters are well positioned to export our premium fresh produce around the country and to the rest of the world.”