In Russia, the formation of an integral system of wholesale food markets (ODA) will begin, combining the entire range of services for the acceptance, packaging and sale of products. The concept for the development of this link of trade was approved by the Chairman of the Government Mikhail Mishustin.
Today in our country there is no special regulation of ODA, there is no approved terminology in this area, and the infrastructure of the existing ODA is extremely limited and does not meet existing requirements. The adoption of the concept will partially eliminate these shortcomings.
The document defines the wholesale food market as an enterprise that provides trading places, equipment and various services to competing wholesalers. These include, for example, loading and unloading operations, security of goods, sanitization of premises, cleaning of territories, information and advertising support, as well as communication services. It is specified that retail trade is also possible at the sites of the pilot project, but it is recommended to conduct it in a separate zone.
To ensure control over food safety, it is proposed to legislate the requirement for the placement of veterinary and sanitary laboratories on the territory of the OPW. At the same time, the markets themselves, as indicated in the concept, should gravitate towards the centers of consumption of products, first of all, towards large agglomerations and cities.
The document also articulates key objectives for the development of ODA. First, it is the improvement of legal regulation. Secondly, improving the infrastructure. Third, government support for wholesale sites. Concrete steps to accomplish these tasks will be presented in a special action plan. The Ministry of Industry and Trade was instructed to prepare it within six months.
The implementation of the concept will help to form an effective system of wholesale trade in food products in Russia. This, in turn, will simplify the access of agricultural producers to direct sales channels, reduce their costs, and hence the prices of products.