in the heart of the Lille wholesale market, in full swing as New Year’s Eve approaches

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Among the pallet trucks and crates of fruit and vegetables, Alain Dupré, a greengrocer for over 30 years, is determined to do business first. the holidays. Because in the third most important wholesale market in France, in Lille (North), everything can be negotiated. “Customers don’t have elastic wallets either, so you have to be vigilant about prices”assures the professional. Here, greengrocers and restaurateurs replenish their stocks at around thirty wholesalers. For Christmas, exotic fruits are particularly sought after. “We buy them to put in the baskets because it’s Christmas, it’s a party. So we want the customer to be satisfied and to try new products”explains Alain Dupré.

An XXL professional market, where 200,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables are sold each year with an activity peak of 25% this week. Delphine Sénéchal, from Maison Ballester Sénéchal, wholesaler, is overwhelmed by calls: “It’s actually a period that is a little rushed. They need the goods quickly. They need to be certain of having the goods.”

Every minute counts, a shipment of fennel has just arrived from Italy, we have to go quickly and check the load. “The caliber, quality, labeling, and weight, see if everything complies”lists Valentin Louchart, logistics manager at the wholesale market.

Fresh products, ordered from a control room. As the holidays approach, you have to keep up. Obtain the goods, but also their best price. “It makes the difference. When you look at all the competition on the market, for 3 cents, it’s huge. If we sell for 3 cents more, we won’t pass”assures Sacha Scalone, buyer and seller at the wholesale market. Advantageous prices which appealed to this newbie, who has just purchased 3 pallets. “There, in two days, it’s gone”he confides.

On this market, more than 1,000 tonnes of products were sold in one day.