One of the nice things about starting any New Year is the chance to look at our work with eyes anew - hopefully, feeling satisfied with the results of the year’s work just completed and inspired by the new opportunities which may arise in the months ahead.

In 2008, WUWM aims to become even more effective in its representation of markets. We plan to do this by increasing the information made available on the role and importance of wholesale and retail markets to the food distribution chain, and by providing an even more capable platform for food markets and their traders globally. One important issue for discussion this year will be the inevitable impacts of recent rises in food prices.

The first annual WUWM conference will be held in Mexico City in April, followed by our 26th WUWM congress, which will be held in Copenhagen in September. The first WUWM retail conference will also be held in Europe during the summer.

In reviewing 2007, it is evident that food markets took many opportunities to increase their effectiveness within the food distribution chain. Alongside guaranteeing the sustainable provision of fresh, tasty and quality products, many market infrastructures were modernised, or are in the process of being modernised, to match the facilities of competitors, incorporating new and innovative services that will benefit both consumers and businesses for years to come. Markets around Europe, in particular, worked to increase their collaboration and communication with one another, promoting new technologies and increasing resource-sharing and trading opportunities between market operators.

Having consistently demonstrated their social and economic values, food markets can continue to build on their inextricable relations with local and national governments. By raising awareness of their many socio-economic benefits, markets and their traders can only continue to increase their competitiveness within the industry, as well as contribute to the rural/urban regeneration agenda. WUWM not only improved member services in 2007, but also the general profile of markets within the industry, as well as with relevant authorities and the public in general. From China and Mexico, to South Africa and France, WUWM provided decision-makers with the information and support needed to ensure market effectiveness within the food distribution chain, giving wholesale and retail markets the assistance and dedication of a professional network committed to ensuring successful markets for decades to come. WUWM 2007 conferences held in Beijing and Turin were successful in supporting the growth and expansion of markets throughout the world. Turin set the stage for discussions on reforms to the EC Common Market Organisation for Fruit and Vegetables, and Beijing spoke to the emerging strategic role of food markets in the global food supply chain. WUWM retail meetings set the framework for the continued development of the only comprehensive representation of retail markets and their traders in Europe.

So certainly we have the right to feel inspired in 2008. Forget this being the Year of the Rat - I propose we call this the Year of the Market!