Xijiao aims to be leading agricultural product wholesale market

Government-backed livelihood project is expected to become the largest agricultural product trade center in Shanghai and even the whole Yangtze River Delta Region

■ A garden-style market with 0.45 of plot ratio, 25 percent of building density, and 20 percent of greening rate

■ Every commercial tenant promises “never to cook and live in the booth” upon signing tenant agreement

After three years of trial operation, Xijiao International Agricultural Product Trade Center (Xijiao International) announced that its official operation will start from tomorrow. It is reported that Xijiao International, which is located in Huaxin Town of Qingpu District, is a government-backed project for the interest of local residents. Constructed with a total investment up to 2.5 billion yuan by investors including Bright Food (Group) Co., Ltd., Xijiao International is aimed to grow into the biggest wholesale market for primary agricultural product in Shanghai and even the whole Yangtze River Delta Region.

Farewell to traditional dirt, disorder and poor management, and build a garden-styled market

By drawing on the deployment experience from the French-based Marché international de Rungis, the most advanced agricultural product market in the world, and western countries and Japan, Xijiao International Agricultural Product Trade Center bids a farewell to the crowded and shabby scene traditionally observed in agricultural product markets. In contrast, it is bright and cozy, with flexible space left to commercial tenants for free combination. Boasting a plot ratio of 0.45, building density of 25 percent, greening rate of 20 percent, Xijiao International is a garden-style market in fact.

It is worth mentioning that all traffic within Xijiao International are channeled along clockwise direction, with fast traffic lanes separated from slow ones, and goods-supply vehicle lanes from goods-purchase ones. The vehicles used for goods supply and purchase are also required to park in separated areas to ensure smooth traffic. Battery carts are employed within the trade hall to maintain a good traffic order. As to the outside traffic conditions, Xijiao International has become accessible to many highways in vicinity thanks to three years of trial operation.

It is not rare in traditional wholesale market that the commercial tenants not only do business but live in their booths to cut cost. However, such practices brew hidden safety risks. Such highly dangerous practice is banned in Xijiao International, with each commercial tenant promising “never to cook and live in the booth” upon signing tenant agreement. With a view to strengthen the management, staff will be assigned by Xijiao International for inspection on a regular basis.

No cash used in the transaction by introducing membership system

In the first half of 2013 alone, more than 1,000 kinds of imported agricultural products have been traded in Xijiao International, a 200 percent year-on-year increase indeed. At present, mushroom, the main product with absolute dominance in Xijiao International, registers a daily trade volume up to 140 tons, accounting for 40 percent of daily provision in Shanghai. Besides, imported quality fruits in Xijiao International gains about 20 percent of market shares of Shanghai. More than 140 vegetables of non-traditional species could be found here too, occupying more than 30 percent of market shares in Shanghai. It is expected that the annual trade volume of Xijiao International will jump to 20 billion yuan by 2015.

Compared with traditional wholesale markets, which generally embrace all suppliers without selection, Xijiao International is much picky in choosing eligible suppliers. Only the provincial or municipal leading agricultural enterprises and government-recognized agricultural cooperatives can meet the high threshold of Xijiao International and go through strict qualification procedures required. Besides, Xijiao International also poses demanding requirements to all suppliers in terms of production base, commodity brand, security inspection, packing and processing. All commodities traded in Xijiao International must be inspected by the governments of original places and be granted inspection licenses. No cash is allowed for transactions in Xijiao International, making the trade here both safe and convenient.

Six lines of defense are set up to safeguard food security

Six lines of defense are also set up by Xijiao International to safeguard food security. For example, a traceability system is in place to trace up the original places of pork, beef, mutton and vegetables sold here. Besides, the whereabouts of sold commodities can also be followed by Xijiao International, since it keeps neat transaction records for each batch of goods and each transaction in database for long enough time. In addition, self-inspection stations are also set up in Xijiao International with multiple functions like rapid inspection, meat quality supervision, quantitative analysis. At present, through rapid inspection, 13 substances like pesticide residue, clenbuterol, sulfur dioxide, Sudan red can be screened from five major commodities of vegetable, fruit, meat, dry goods and aquatic products.

As one measure to strengthen the monitor over agriculture products traded here, Shanghai Agricultural Products Quality and Safety Testing Center has established presence in Xijiao International. Shanghai Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau also sets up its office in Xijiao International to provide convenient around-the-clock on-site inspection and quarantine service for all imported and exported agricultural products. Anxin Agricultural Insurance Co., Ltd. is also right here to provide insurance service.