Finnian O’Luasa, Paris Office, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board

The French Rungis market has announced an ambitious 10 year plan representing an investment of 1 billion euros between 2015 and 2025. The objective of the plan is to ensure long term growth through attractiveness, performance and best food safety practices as well as the development of services to cater for urban and online logistics. An example of this is the development of a fleet of electric cars and refrigerated vans which will be shared through an online reservation platform. Solar panels will be installed to help charge the fleet. Work will be carried out on an estimated 20% of the 234 hectares site of the market which will involve 264 000m² of construction, 132 000m² of demolition and 88,000m² of renovation.

All sectors will benefit from the plan and it will also include commitments to sustainable development and ecological footprint. Semmaris, the organisation responsible for the management of Rungis, have seen their mission extended to 2050 thus allowing for such an ambitious long term plan. As described in an earlier food alert the Rungis market has recently invested in a dedicated organic hall which opened in December 2015.

According to lastest figures, the Rungis market represents 1,200 companies which sell 2.4 million tonnes of food per year for a turnover of €8.8 billion. The expertise of the market has led to licence agreements with other international markets such as Dubai and Moscow to develop food and logistics platforms through knowledge transfer and utilisation of the Rungis brand.

For more information please contact Finnian.oluasa@bordbia.ie