The reopening of Beijing's Xinfadi Market was announced on August 13. Xinfadi is the city's largest wholesale market for fruit, vegetables and meat supplies. In order to better enforce COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the market will no longer supply retail customers, and will deal exclusively with wholesalers.
Trading was temporarily suspended on June 13, after local health authorities discovered a COVID-19 outbreak originating in the market. As part of necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, the once crowded market will now serve only registered wholesale buyers such as those from hotels and restaurants.
In addition to better managing safety in the market, the new measure provides a much-needed upgrade that will also improve supply and distribution efficiency. Local residents who were long used to buying their fresh produce directly from the market will now have access to a newly built 1,000-square-meter retail market, right outside the original market site. The market will also operate 77 stores and 164 vans, allowing residents in nearby communities to purchase produce directly at market price.
This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Beijing Youth Daily on August 14
(Print Edition Title: Focusing on Wholesale)
