Farmers' markets in a peri-urban context: how to estimate their importance? Case of the farmers' market in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône)

Abstract

In a periurban context, the farms can take advantage of their situation to improve the commercial value of their productions by using commercial direct selling like markets. But the quantities of produces sold on the markets are not available and are difficult to estimate: they cannot be obtained by direct survey among farmers. This article presents the results of a study carried out in the Aix-en-Provence market and the methodology used to estimate the quantities of produces (vegetables) sold on this market. The market represents 75 places occupied especially by vegetable and fruit producing farmers. Several farmers and three productions (tomato, potato and salad) are selected after investigations among farmers directly on the markets. During several market times, sold quantities are estimated by counting crates at the opening and at the end of the market. Total quantity is calculated by two different methods of calculation and of extrapolation. The study shows that this methodology can be used to estimate the amount of vegetables sold on the market. This quantity is low in comparison with the departmental production: less than 1 % for tomato and salad and about 2 % for potato. However, these farms more often would not survive if the markets disappeared, and the markets contribute to their financial health.