"Compared to 2023, the number of tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables marketed has increased by 5.5%, reaching 284,144 tonnes per year, a result not seen in the last ten years," says a note from the MAAP Padua fresh produce market, which continues:
"This important growth is the result of the consolidation of exports and the Padua fresh produce market's ability to respond to the needs of different distribution channels. This includes supplying large retailers and expanding into the hotel, restaurant, and catering sectors. Wholesalers in the market have been able to strengthen their competitiveness and optimize their costs in the face of complex challenges such as the pandemic, climate change, and foreign competition."
View of the MAAP Padua fresh produce market
On 2 December last year, at an event organized jointly with the Italian financial newspaper Il Sole 24 ore, the Padua fresh produce market MAAP was awarded the "Visionari d'Impresa" prize for competitiveness, productivity, and business sustainability. The constant growth has also brought tangible benefits to the agricultural producers: 65% of the products sold at MAAP come from Italy, while the remaining 35% are imported from abroad, always guaranteeing quality and diversity.
"The MAAP Padua fresh produce market is also open to the general public every day from 7.30 a.m., a service that is also in line with MAAP's public mission to promote fair and convenient access to food. In addition to its commercial role, MAAP is also involved in socio-cultural activities. These include awareness-raising campaigns for schools and young sportspeople, the supply of fruit and vegetables to social cooperatives and charities, and initiatives such as the Italian language courses recently set up for foreign workers to help them with their integration."
One of the galleries at the MAAP Padua fresh produce market
"Looking to the future, MAAP Padua fresh produce market aims to consolidate the results achieved in 2024 by launching projects to develop and modernize the market structure, also thanks to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. These actions will not only improve the infrastructure but will also contribute to strengthening the strategic role of the MAAP Padua fresh produce market in the regional and national food system."
The note concludes: "The company, in which the Municipality of Padua, the Chamber of Commerce, the Wholesale Group, Italian farmers' union Coldiretti and Confagricoltura are shareholders, thus confirms its central role in the economy of the area, supporting local businesses and promoting virtuous cooperation between public institutions and private operators."
For more information:
MAAP
Corso Stati Uniti, 50
35127 Padua (PD) - Italy
Tel.: +39 049 869 2111
www.maap.it