THE Southern Wholesale Market (SWM) or as it is better known, “The Debe Market”, is ideal for both wholesale and retail shopping.

SWM is engaged in wholesale trading on Wednesdays between the hours of 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. and on Thursdays from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

These flexible marketing hours allow farmers to harvest their produce and attend the market, without having to modify their day-to-day management activities.

Both farmers and vendors find the trading hours at SWM to be more favourable than at the Northern Wholesale Market (NWM) and the Port of Spain Market.

SWM is ideally situated in Debe, to service farmers and wholesalers from as far south as Moruga, as well as those vendors who are centrally located.

This can save vendors in Southern and Central areas money and time since they do not have to travel to Macoya or Port of Spain to market their produce.

It has been observed that 65 per cent of the wholesalers are farmers.

Since southern farmers have to travel shorter distances to the market, their produce is of a higher quality as it is not exposed to the elements for long periods after harvesting.

This leads to a price and quality advantage for buyers.

Data for the month of February shows that some commodities are sold at lower prices at SWM when compared to the NWM.

Apart from wholesaling activities at SWM, retail trading takes place on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for a range of items.

Retailers of conventional (poultry, pork, fish) and non-conventional (black conch, blue crab, etc.), animal species, valued added animal products, fresh fruits and vegetables, haberdasheries, clothing, vegetable seeds and seedlings, as well as ornamental plants is brisk.

The market is well laid out and allows for relatively easy flow of traffic in and out of the compound with adequate secure parking.

The market premises are well secure as there is 24-hour security surveillance.

The facility also possesses three well-stocked canteens which cater for the culinary needs of consumers.

Consumers are exposed to a traditional market experience where one can purchase Indian delicacies, rice cakes, snow cones, roasted corn and even cane juice.

SWM is user-friendly as it provides the consumer, as well as the vendors with a safe and comfortable atmosphere.

The market is frequented by people from all walks of life from professionals to the everyday housewife.

Present users of the market have a holistic shopping experience where they get more value for their money.

So why not give SWM a try.

We assure that you would have a comfortable, exciting and profitable experience.

- From GreenVine’s monthly bulletin of the National Agricultural, Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO).