The Rungis International Market (French: Marché International de Rungis) is the principal wholesale market of Paris and mainly deals in food and horticultural products. It is located in the commune of Rungis, in the southern suburbs. It is the second largest wholesale food market in the world after Central de Abasto in Mexico city, with 327 hectares (810 acres).

History

From its origins in the 10th century to the mid-20th century, the central market of Paris was located in the centre of the city, in a 10-hectare (25-acre) area named Les Halles. That became too small to accommodate all of the business demand, and, in 1969, the market was transferred to the suburbs. Rungis was selected because of its easy access by rail and highway and its proximity to Orly International Airport.

On 25 September 2022, the market caught fire.^[1]

Today

The market is the property of the French State and administered by the Semmaris (Société d'Economie Mixte d'Aménagement et de gestion du marché d'intérêt national de Rungis). Wholesalers are plentiful and the competition is strong. Clients are professionals, distributors and restaurants. Veterinary, phytosanitary controls and property checks are present.^{[citation needed]} The waste of the market is recycled and the energy generated by the incinerator is used to heat the market and Orly Airport nearby. The market starts at 1am and ends around 11am.

Statistics

Data:^[2]

• the complex covers 232 hectares (570 acres) and is slightly larger than the Principality of Monaco;
• 13,000 people work there every day;
• 26,000 vehicles enter every day (of which 3,000 are heavy trucks);
• 1,698,000 tonnes of products are brought in annually;
• it has the largest turnover of wholesale markets in the world.