I MERCATI ALL'INGROSSO AGROALIMENTARI DEL PIEMONTE

The focus of the work are the fruit and vegetable/fish/flowers/meat wholesale markets and the fruit and vegetable/cattle production markets of Piedmont Region. Data analysis of the regional markets –data were obtained by studies referring to 1988-90 and 1993– ,involved in the first phase of the research. In the second phase, data and information were collected to describe and to analyse management, structural conditions, commercial dimension (quantity and value of commodities) and territorial dimension (area of influence) of the markets. The situation of some markets is not positive in consequence of: structures obsolescence, fixed installations and lack of services, commodity quantities decreasing, buyers and sellers number decreasing and, finally, negative economical results. Other markets are in a better condition. In particular, some fruit and vegetable cattle production markets show an increasing demand of local, typical products (with regards to this, the interest of local Administrations to such kind of markets was also observed ). Moreover, two important fruit and vegetables wholesale markets (Cuneo and Torino) are becoming modern Agri-Food Centers.