One of the overriding aims of WUWM is to promote the importance of wholesale and retail markets to the food sector. Ensuring our ability to present the true size, scope and range of activities undertaken by our members to decision-makers at the national, regional and international level is therefore vital in reinforcing the important contributions that markets make to local economies and communities.

A recent WUWM report on the importance of wholesale markets in food distribution used 2006 data from 137 responding member markets, of which 99 operate within EU member states. The figure showed that those markets alone cover some 5,600 hectares, receive 550,000 visitors daily and serve 20 per cent of the world’s population. The total turnover of those market operators is more than €55 billion (£45bn) and the marketed quantity exceeds 54 million tonnes.

What I wouldn’t give to see every wholesale market in the world as a WUWM member - could you imagine the picture markets might then show? Per hectare, our current member wholesale markets employ an average of 45 people and turn over more than €76,000. More than 70 per cent of those members are seen as providing a public service - even though just 50 per cent of these markets belong to the public sector. Now, more than ever, markets are providing that much-needed ‘added value’ as mechanisms for public good.

The total investment made by only EU wholesale market management companies during the 2000-06 period was an astounding €1.23bn. The majority of this is being used for maintenance, upgrading buildings, environmental services, new business attraction and improving efficiency for wholesalers.

What then of retail markets? A WUWM survey earlier this year detailed the existence of some 25,000 retail markets in the EU alone, whereby some 400,000 traders on those markets employ over a million people and provide a gross turnover of more than €35bn.

If one combines these retail and wholesale market figures, it is easy to see that the economic contribution of markets in the EU alone is equivalent, if not higher than, many of the major retail chains. And markets have the added bonus of being public service tools - profit maximisation not being their sole raison d’être.

It is frustrating, especially when figures speak for themselves, to still have to pound the pavement, knocking on doors requesting to be heard by all the right people in all the necessary places. But it is easier - and surely more effective - when market management authorities decide to unite to promote their importance to local and national decision-makers directly.

At WUWM, we are both proud and inspired by the work being done by our member markets in London, as well as by the National Association of British Market Authorities, in pursuing and promoting the market brand. This is one example of today’s market professionals and their excellence in market leadership. I firmly believe this a good indicator of what is to come from this generation of forward-thinking market leaders.