Les marchés de gros de consommation de fruits et légumes en Normandie

Abstract

SUMMARY The wholesale supply markets of fruit and vegetables in Caen (65,000 tons), Le Havre (40,000 tons) and Rouen (140,000 tons) play very different roles in the commercial organization of these perishable foodstuffs in Normandy. The gross tonnages, the supplies and the types of sellers cannot give a clear indication of the function of each market. On the other hand, three criteria relative to the structure and localization of the clientele have been able to be retained, in order to define each place : the portion of the tonnage taken by the « big carriers », the extent of the zone of influence, and the index of radiation. Le Havre is a market which supplies the town and its surrounding urban area, whereas Caen and Rouen are asserting themselves as markets operating in more dispersed areas, controlling the commercial circuits of fruit and vegetables in Lower Normandy and Upper Normandy respectively.